Clonal analysis of CD4+ T helper cell subsets that induce the monocyte procoagulant response.

Monocyte procoagulant inducing factor (MPIF) is a T helper cell-derived cytokine that may play a collaborative role in the expression of cell-mediated immune responses. We have attempted to elucidate whether there is a relationship between MPIF-producing T cell clones and currently proposed subsets of murine T helper cells. A large collection of murine CD4+ T cell clones, both Con A-induced and long-term alloreactive clones, was generated for this study. Four subsets were identified among these T cell clones according to their cytokine secreting profiles: Th0 producing IL-2 and IL-4, Th1 producing IL-2, Th2 producing IL-4, and Tnull, a subset producing neither cytokine. The ability to produce MPIF was found to residue within the Th0 and Th1 subsets regardless of whether the clone was Con A-induced or alloreactive. Neither Th2 clones nor Tnull exhibited significant MPIF activity. In addition, a few instances of transition from Th0 to Th2 were associated with a concomitant loss of MPIF expression. The ability to secrete MPIF after stimulation was heterogeneous among Th0 and Th1 clones and did not correlate with IL-2 production by these clones. Our results that the Th1 subset produces MPIF are consistent with findings that the Th1 subset as well as the cytokine MPIF mediates DTH. Additionally, these results suggest that MPIF-producing Th0 clones may also play a role in cell-mediated immune responses.