A macrophage-derived factor that inhibits the production and action of interleukin 2.

The human monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 produces an immunosuppressive factor that inhibits interleukin 1 (IL-1)-dependent proliferation of mouse thymocytes as well as the mitogenic effects of concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The mechanism of action of this factor includes interference with both the production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and its effects on target cells. Thus, the suppressor abrogates the proliferation of an IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T cell line (CTLL), but not of IL-2 independent cells like the L929 fibroblasts or the EL4 T lymphoma and U937 histiocytic lymphoma lines. It also suppresses IL-2 production by human peripheral blood enriched T cells and mouse splenocytes. The mediator has a molecular weight of 60,000-70,000 dalton, as determined by gel filtration chromatography, is heat labile, and is sensitive to trypsin, chymotrypsin, and protease.