Lymphokine (interleukin-2) production by mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes in small reactors

Human spleen cells or peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were stimulated with the T-cell mitogens concanavalin A or phytohemagglutinin to produce the lymphokine interleukin-2 (IL-2). Culture conditions were optimized using 250-1000 ml reactor vessels. Optimal IL-2 release was found at a low speed of stirring allowing circulation of the medium without suspending the agglutinated cells, and at an oxygen concentration of about 30-45% of saturation. Cell viability was suboptimal at these conditions.