Brain neocortex modulation of mitogen-induced interleukin 2, but not interleukin 1, production

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) production by splenic T cells stimulated by Concanavalin A was studied in mice after unilateral or bilateral brain neocortex ablation. The brain cortex was shown to modulate IL-2 production in an asymmetrical way. IL-2 levels were higher in animals with a right cortical lesion (group R) and lower in mice with a symmetrical lesion (group L) as compared to controls, differences between groups R and L being significant. Such variations of IL-2 production that were observed after unilateral lesions were abolished with bilateral cortical ablations. These results extend the immunoregulatory roles of the brain neocortex to IL-2 production by splenic T cells and may provide molecular support for neuro-immunological networks.