Pharmacologic effects of autacoids on subsets of T cells. Regulation of expression/function of histamine-2 receptors by a subset of suppressor cells.

Autacoids (principally histamine, beta adrenergic catecholamines, and prostaglandins E and A) have only recently been recognized as substantive moderators of a number of immune functions. If autacoids are to be considered as potential therapeutic immunomodulators, it is necessary to understand their effects on subsets of T cells while they are and are not in contact with each other. This report demonstrates that autacoid receptors are nonrandomly distributed on phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets of human T cells. Each human T cell subset responded to both histamine and isoproterenol, but the dose response curve and maximal efficacy varied widely between the subsets. The suppressor T cells were more responsive to both histamine and isoproterenol than helper/inducer T cells (TH) or cytotoxic T cells (Tc). We found that after mitogenic stimulation the response to histamine, but not isoproterenol, was greatly increased only in TH (Leu 3+) and Tc (Leu 2+, 9.3+) subsets, and that this effect may be regulated by suppressor T cells (Leu 2+, 9.3-). The dramatic rise in cAMP accumulation in response to histamine in mitogen-treated TH and Tc was totally blocked by an H2 antagonist (cimetidine), but not by an H1 antagonist (mepyramine). These findings indicate interdependence of (a) immunologically uncommitted subsets in their response to selected drugs, and (b) control of basal- and autacoid-induced cAMP production, as well as (c) increased qualitative and quantitative selectivity, which is caused by mitogen. If we had performed these experiments only on unseparated cells we would not have observed the remarkable selectivity of autacoid effects on subsets of T cells.