Frequencies of T cells secreting IL-2 and/or IL-4 among unprimed CD4+ populations. Evidence that clones secreting IL-2 and IL-4 give rise to clones which secrete only IL-4.
We have utilized a limiting dilution assay, involving a minimum of in vitro culture, to determine the frequencies of CD4+ T cells which have the capacity to secrete IL-2 (Th1), IL-4 (Th2) or IL-2 and IL-4 (Th0). CD4+ lymph node cells obtained from unimmunized mice were found to contain 40% Th1, 34% Th2, and 26% Th0 cells. The fact that Th0 cells could be identified in cell populations obtained from unimmunized mice suggested a possible role for Th0 in the differentiation pathways of Th1 and Th2. Antigen-specific Th0 clones were thus established and observed to convert to a Th2 phenotype after prolonged culture. The relevance of these findings is discussed in the context of current models of CD4+ T cell subsets.
Torbett
B E
BE
Lilly Research Laboratories, La Jolla Facility, CA 92037.
Laxer
J A
JA
Glasebrook
A L
AL
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D002999:Clone Cells; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL
D007376:Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4