title: Antigen-specific functions of a CD4+ subset of human T lymphocytes with granular morphology.
abstract: We previously showed that a small proportion of the CD4+ human lymphocytes express the C3bi receptor (CD11). In the present investigation these cells were found to have the homogeneous morphology of granular lymphocytes. Between 70 and 80% of the cells reacted with antibody Leu-7, but they did not express Fc receptors and had no spontaneous cytotoxic activity against the NK-sensitive cell line K562. The CD11+/CD4+ cells uniformly expressed CD3 and could be induced to express IL 2 receptors by activation with PHA or anti-CD3 antibody. Compared with unfractionated T cells, however, CD11+/CD4+ granular lymphocytes had a reduced ability to produce IL 2 after stimulation with PHA or anti-CD3 antibody. Nevertheless, the CD11+/CD4+ subset generated specific allocytotoxicity after stimulation with allogeneic cells and culture in IL 2. Furthermore, the CD11+/CD4+ cells also proliferated after stimulation with tetanus toxoid and PPD. Thus some cells of the CD11+/CD4+ subset are capable of antigen-specific responses. These results indicate that certain CD11+ cells with granular morphology are mature T lymphocytes.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morishita
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bean
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000941:Antigens; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003208:Concanavalin A; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007518:Isoantibodies; D007519:Isoantigens; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000032:analysis; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007518:Isoantibodies; D007519:Isoantigens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D014373:Tuberculin; D003208:Concanavalin A