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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions
Published on: October 30, 2016
Interleukin-2 can induce suppression of human natural killer cell cytotoxicity
1Department of Clinical Virology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Abstract:
By interaction with monocytes, interleukin-2 (IL-2) suppressed natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) of human, Percoll-fractionated, low-density mononuclear cells. The NK-suppressive effect of IL-2 was independent of de novo formation of prostaglandins or protein since it was unaffected by treatment with indomethacin and cycloheximide, respectively. A monoclonal antibody to the p55 (beta) moiety of the IL-2 receptor (anti-Tac/anti-CD25) blocked IL-2-induced NKCC suppression but did not affect the NK-enhancing effect of the lymphokine. We conclude that IL-2 exerts a monocyte-dependent, IL-2 beta-receptor mediated suppressive influence on human NK cells.
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