Abstract
Human CD4+ inducer T lymphocytes consist of heterogeneous populations that can be defined either by the monoclonal antibody anti-2H4, which identifies CD4+ cells capable of inducing suppressor T cell function, or by anti-4B4, which identifies CD4+ cells that induce T cell help for B cells. To determine if these subpopulations are terminally differentiated cells within the CD4 lineage, or if they can be modulated by various stimuli, we examined the number and function of the CD4+2H4+ and CD4+4B4+ subpopulations before and after mitogenic activation. Stimulation of CD4+ cells with 10 mcg/ml Concanavalin A (Con A) selectively increased the percentage of cells expressing the CD4+2H4+ phenotype from 43±2% to 82±4%. No change occurred in CD4+4B4+ cells (41±2% to 40±14%). Mitomycin C treatment prior to Con A stimulation abrogated the increase in CD4+2H4+ expression. In contrast to Con A, PHA stimulation produced a non-selective increase in both 2H4 (96%) and 4B4 (92%) expression. Functional studies using autologous T plus B cells in pokeweed driven cocultures, revealed that the Con A activated CD4+ cells induced a T-cell mediated suppression (80±4%) of IgG synthesis. Thus, Con A selectively expands the 2H4+ subpopulation within the CD4+ subset of T cells. The CD4+2H4+ subpopulation may represent a functionally distinct, terminally differentiated suppressor/inducer cell.
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Sleasman, J., Henderson, M. & Barrett, D. CONCANAVALIN A ACTIVATES THE SUPPRESSOR/INDUCER SUBPOPULATION OF CD4+ T LYMPHOCYTES. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 318 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00908
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00908