Activation of the Na+/K+-ATPase by interleukin-2

Activated B61.SF.1 and CTLL-2 T lymphocyte clones which are strictly dependent on interleukin-2 (IL-2) for growth were used to study the activation of Na+/K+-ATPase. 50% of [3H]thymidine maximal incorporation was obtained when the extracellular concentration of Na+ or K+ was reduced to 50 or 2 mM, respectively. 'Quiescent' CTL clones stimulated with IL-2 showed an increase of 48-380% in ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake. Furthermore, this stimulation was completely inhibited by a monoclonal antibody PC.61 directed at the IL-2 receptor. The activation of the pump was dependent on the dose of IL-2, took place at the same doses of IL-2 that were required to stimulate cell proliferation and was linear for at least 30 min.