Interleukin 2, interferon, and lymphotoxin in renal transplant recipients.

The immunosuppressive action of cyclosporine in transplantation (Tx) is thought to be due to its potent inhibition of lymphokine production by T cells. Several studies have shown a decrease in interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interferon-Gamma (IFN-G) production of renal Tx recipients on CsA treatment and have suggested that increases in lymphokine production can be correlated with rejection episodes. In this study we measured IL-2, IFN-G, and lymphotoxin (LT) production by mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes in eight renal Tx recipients before and at various times after Tx.