Maximal interferon-gamma production and early synthesis of interleukin-2 by CD4+ CDw29- CD45R- p80- human T lymphocytes.

Functionally distinct subsets within the T-helper (CD4+) cell population have been described in man, rat and mouse. We have shown previously that the CD4+ 45R- human lymphocytes are producers of IL-2 within 24 hr of polyclonal stimulation and are the major interferon (IFN) producers. The mAbs 4B4 (CDw29) and Leu 8 (p80) are here used together with Leu-18 (CD45R) to characterize the subpopulations of the CD4+ human lymphocytes in more detail. The majority of the CD45R+ cells were CDw29- and the majority of the CDw29+ cells were CD45R-. Most of the CD45R+ cells (78%) were also p80+. A significant number of cells (12%) were CDw29- CD45R-. The predominant subpopulations were defined to be CDw29- CD45R+ p80+ (31%), CDw29+ CD45R- p80- (24%) and CDW29+ CD45R- p80+ (18%). Within the CD4+ CD45R- subpopulation different subsets vary in their capacities to produce IFN and to produce IL-2 within 24 hr after activation. CD4+ CDw29- CD45R- p80- T lymphocytes produced the largest quantities of IFN and IL-2.