Interleukin 5 is a differentiation factor for cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

The role of IL-5 on the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) was analysed using a culture system in which production of T helper cell factors was abrogated by exposure of the stimulator cells to ultraviolet irradiation. Supernatants from a T helper cell line (2.19 sup), recombinant (r) IL-2, rIL-4 and rIL-5 were then tested for the capacity to replace T cell help, on the generation of CTL. The results showed that the specific CTL response, in unseparated spleen cells, could be reconstituted by either 2.19 sup, IL-2 or IL-4. However, if the responder cells were purified in nylon wool, only 2.19 sup or rIL-4 plus rIL-5, but not each lymphokine per se, reconstituted the CTL response. Because IL-5 does not support T cell proliferation, it is suggested that IL-5 induces differentiation of immature precursors into CTL. Based on these findings and in an attempt to conciliate the conflicting views that have emerged from different reports, as to whether IL-2 by itself could support generation of CTL in purified T cells, a hypothesis is formulated, suggesting that T cell at different stages of differentiation require distinct lymphokines to acquire CTL effector function.