Agents that increase cellular cAMP inhibit production of interleukin-2, but not its activity

Proliferation of lectin-treated mouse thymocytes induced by the tumor promoter, 12-0-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate, is markedly inhibited by cAMP analogues, prostaglandin E and methylisobutylxanthine. Proliferation induced by interleukin-2 is resistant to inhibition by these compounds. The tumor promoter induces interleukin-2 production in a subpopulation of lectin-treated thymocytes, and production of this lymphokine is inhibited by agents that increase cellular cAMP.