Summary
Human T cell clones were derived from peripheral blood and screened for their ability to release γ-interferon (γ-IF) following PHA stimulation. Nine clones producing more than 20 U/ml of γ-IF were expanded and analyzed for cytolytic activity in a lectin-dependent assay and for the ability to release interleukin-2 (IL-2). In addition, clones were analyzed for T4 and T8 antigen expression. Five out of nine clones had cytolytic T lymphocyte activity, while four released relatively large amounts of IL-2. Five clones were T4+ while the remaining expressed the T8+ phenotype. These results clearly indicate that γ-IF production is not restricted to T cell subsets defined according to either functional or phenotypic criteria.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kasahara T., Hooks J. J., Dougherty S. H., Oppenheim J. J.: Interleukin-2-mediated immune interferon (IF-γ) production by human T cells and T cell subsets — J. Immunol.130, 1784, 1983.
Leibson H. L., Gefter M., Zlotnik A., Marrack P., Kappler J. W.: Role of γ-interferon in antibody production response — Nature (Lond.)309, 799, 1984.
Mingari M. C.,Moretta A.,Maggi E.,Pantaleo G.,Gerosa F.,Romagnani S.,Moretta L.: Frequent coexpression of cytolytic activity and lymphokine production. Production of B cell growth factor and interleukin-2 by T4+ and T8+ human cytolytic T cell clones — Europ. J. Immunol. (In press).
Moretta A: Frequency and surface phenotype of human T lymphocytes producing interleukin-2. Analysis by limiting dilution and cell cloning — Europ. J. Immunol. (In press).
Moretta A., Pantaleo G., Moretta L., Cerottini J. C., Mingari M. C.: Direct demonstration of the clonogenic potential of every human peripheral blood T cell. Clonal analysis of HLA-DR expression and cytolytic activity — J. exp. Med.157, 743, 1983.
Moretta A., Pantaleo G., Mingari M. C., Moretta L., Cerottini J. C.: Clonal heterogeneity in the requirement for T3, T4 and %8 molecules in human cytolytic T lymphocyte function — J. exp. Med.159, 921, 1984.
Moretta L., Webb S. R., Grossi C. E., Lydyard P. M., Cooper M. D.: Functional analysis of two human T-cell subpopulations: help and suppression of B-cell responses by T-cells bearing receptors for IgM or IgG — J. exp. Med.146, 184, 1977.
O’Malley J. A., Nussbaum-Blumenson A., Sheedy D., Grossmayer B. J., Ozer H.: Identification of the T cell subset that produces human γ-interferon — J. Immunol.128, 2522, 1982.
Oppenheim J. J., Scala G., Kuang Y., Matsushima K., Stein M. B., Steeg P. S.: The role of cytokines in promoting accessory-cell function. In:Yamamura Y., Tada T (Eds): Progress in immunology. V. Academic Press, New York, 1984; p. 285.
Palacios R., Martinez-Maza O., De Ley M.: Production of human immune interferon (Hu IFN-γ) studied at the single cell level. Origin, evidence for spontaneous secretion and effect of cyclosporin A — Europ. J. Immunol.13, 221, 1983.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was supported in part (G. M., A. M. and S. F.) by grants from theConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Roma, Italy, ‘Progetto Finalizzato Controllo della Crescita Neoplastica’. Dr. Melioli was also recipient of a short-term EMBO fellowship.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Melioli, G., Merli, A., Ferrini, S. et al. Phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of human T cell clones producing γ-interferon. La Ricerca Clin. Lab. 15, 47–52 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03029161
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03029161