Biochemical separation of interleukin 2.

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a class of T cell growth factors produced by T cells of a number of species. The unique growth-promoting properties of these molecules allow the development of antigen-specific effector T cell lines which can be used to analyze the molecular basis of lymphocyte interactions. A murine T cell tumor line has been identified as a source of IL-2. The purification and biochemical properties of murine IL-2 are described, and compared with rat and human Il-2.