Abstract: Methods are provided for the purification of interleukin-2 (IL-2) from a wide variety of sources, including synthetic mixtures, culture medium conditioned by natural IL-2 producing cells, and mammalian and bacterial recombinant IL-2 expression systems. The methods of the invention employ IL-2 receptor-affinity adsorbents in which soluble IL-2 receptors have been immobilized on solid supports. Through the use of these affinity adsorbents, highly purified IL-2 can be produced in a single step from bacterial extracts or conditioned medium. The IL-2 thus purified is largely free of aggregated forms, which are often present when other purification methods are used.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the purification of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and chimeric proteins containing an IL-2 moiety from a wide variety of sources, including synthetic mixtures, cell culture conditioned medium and mammalian and bacterial recombinant expression systems. The methods of the invention employ IL-2 receptor-affinity adsorbents in which soluble IL-2 receptors have been immobilized on solid supports. Through the use of these affinity adsorbents, highly purified IL-2 and chimeric proteins containing an IL-2 moiety can be produced in a single step from bacterial extracts or conditioned medium. The proteins thus purified are largely free of aggregated forms, which are often present when other purification methods are used.