IL-2–activated peripheral blood CD4⁺ T cells possessed anticryptococcal activity, and this activity correlated with the expression of granulysin but not perforin. (A) CD4⁺ T cells were treated with IL-2 and incubated with C neoformans at 3 higher E/T ratios (E/T =250:1, 500:1, 1000:1). The number of C neoformans (CFU) was determined in each group as indicated. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM. Data are representative of 3 independent experiments. (B) CD4⁺ T cells were treated with IL-2 and incubated with C neoformans at 4 lower E/T ratios (E/T =200:1, 100:1, 50:1). The number of C neoformans was determined in each group as indicated. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM. Data are representative of 2 independent experiments. (A-B) *P < .01 compared with the number of C neoformans alone or resting CD4⁺ T cells incubated with C neoformans. (C) The time course of granulysin or perforin expression in IL-2–activated CD4⁺ T cells was detected by Western blot using an Ab (519/GST) that detects both the 15- and 9-kDa forms of granulysin or affinity-purified anti–human perforin, respectively. Data are representative of 3 independent experiments.