Production of interleukin 2, interleukin 3, and interferon by mouse T lymphocyte clones of Lyt-2+ and -2- phenotype.

T lymphocyte clones were derived by stimulation of positively selected Lyt-2+ and Lyt-2- lymphocytes with Con A in an Interleukin 2 (IL 2)-enriched medium under conditions of limiting dilution. Forty clones were expanded and tested, after activation by Con A, for the production of IL 2, IL 3, and interferon (IFN). Thirteen Lyt-2- clones were all co-producers of IL 2 and IL 3, and 10/13 were also producers of IFN. Twenty-seven Lyt-2+ clones were much more heterogeneous, 13 being IL 2 and IL 3 nonproducers, whereas 14 produced variable and poorly correlated amounts of IL 2 and IL 3. Three Lyt-2+ clones were observed to produce IL 2 or IL 3 alone. The majority of the Lyt-2- (10/13) and of the Lyt 2+ (21/27) clones were also producers of IFN. Exogenous IL 2 added during the activation of the Lyt-2+ by Con A did not enhance IL 3 production, whereas it did enhance IFN production by some but not all Lyt-2+ clones. Thus, among the T lymphocytes of the Lyt-2+ and -2- phenotypes there are cells capable of releasing IL 2, IL 3, and IFN. This supports the concept that these phenotypes are associated with antigen recognition rather than with cell functions, but it is apparent that the functional capacities of individual T cells, if accurately represented by their clonal progeny, are far from uniform.