Human interleukin-2 (IL-2) expressed by transfected mammalian cells.

cDNA for human interleukin-2 (IL-2) was cloned into the pRc/RSV vector for expression in animal cells. Baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were transfected several times using calcium phosphate and electroporation methods with the construct pRc/RSV SIGIL2. Different transfection efficiencies were obtained. The biological test on CTLL-2 (mouse cytotoxic lymphocytes) showed that the kinetics of cell proliferation were different from those of rIL-2 (recombinant IL-2) expressed in bacteria and in BHK cells. When high concentrations of rIL-2 were applied, an inhibitory effect on CTLL-2 was observed when bacterial product was used, whilst rBHK interleukin caused no inhibition. Recombinant BHK IL2 induced a slower response of CTLL-2 cells at the beginning of the cultivation, however, prolonged activity was detected at the later stage of the experiment.