Impaired interleukin 2 production by spleen cells from mice infected with human adenovirus

Spleen cells from mice infected with human adenovirus type 6 (Ad6) showed defective interleukin 2 (IL2) production 3-5 days after the infection. The response of spleen cells to exogenous IL 2 was also deficient. The impaired capacity of concanavalin A--(Con A)-activated spleen cells from Ad6--infected mice to utilize IL 2 seemed to be related to the depressed capacity of the infected splenocytes to express IL 2 receptors. The immunologic dysfunction following infection with Ad6 may be a consequence of deficiencies in both the elaboration of and response to IL 2.