Culture conditions for selective and enhanced release of various murine lymphokines (CSF, IL-2, MCF, MIF and TRF).

The production of the lymphokines colony stimulating factor (CSF), interleukin-2 (IL-2), macrophage cytotoxicity factor (MCF), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and T cell replacing factor (TRF) was optimized from mouse spleen cell cultures stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A). The cultivation was performed in bioreactors which allow regulation of dissolved oxygen concentration. The oxygen supply influenced the yields of individual lymphokines in different ways. High oxygen concentration was beneficial for high release of IL-2 and MCF, whereas MIF and TRF were better produced at low oxygen concentrations. CSF release did not depend on oxygen supply. Upon stimulation with Con A, lymphokine activities in the culture supernatant reached an optimum or plateau after 24 h Lymphocytes continued with lymphokine release, when they were restimulated for further 24 h. in fresh medium and mitogen. CSF could be induced for at least 4 times. MCF was released during the first 3 inductions, whereas IL-2 and TRF were only produced during the first and second induction. These findings led to specific culture conditions for selective and enhanced production of individual lymphokines.