Figure 5. Reconstitution of IL-2 induces shock.

(a) Splenocytes were prepared from IL-2^−/− and WT mice and stimulated with SEB (2 µg/ml) or SEB + rIL-2 (5 ng/ml) and TNFα levels were measured by ELISA. (b) IL-2^−/− mice were injected with SEB (20 µg/mouse), and rIL-2 (500 ng/mouse).Mice were then observed for mortality at indicated times. (c) Above mice were bled one hour after SEB injection and ELISA was done to assess circulating levels of TNF-α in the serum of these mice.