Macrophage-mediated suppression of con A-induced IL-2 production in spleen cells from syphilitic rabbits.

Blast transformation studies have indicated a diminished T cell response in spleen cell preparations from rabbits infected with Treponema pallidum. IL-2 synthesis by T lymphocytes is required for proliferation of these cells. Thus, Con A-induced IL-2 generation was measured in syphilitic animals infected for 9 to 14 days.