Inhibitory effect of interleukin-16 on interleukin-2 production by CD4+ T cells

Signalling through CD4 by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 envelope glycoprotein (gpl20) and/or anti-CD4 antibodies can promote T-cell activation and anergy. Interleukin (IL)-16 is a competence growth factor for CD4+ T cells that can induce a G0 to G1 cell cycle transition but cannot induce cell division. The receptor of this cytokine is thought to be the CD4 molecule, although the binding epitope of IL-16 differs from that of HIV. We have demonstrated that both HIV-1/gp120 and IL-16 induced CD4+ T-cell dysfunction, as indicated by suppression of mitogen-induced IL-2 production. Two anti-CD4 antibodies with different binding sites on CD4 also showed an inhibitory effect on IL-2 production. These results indicate that promotion of CD4+ T-cell anergy via the CD4 molecule does not depend on the binding sites of the CD4 ligands.     

Differences in the stimulating capacity of immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies: variable dependence on interleukin-1 as a helper signal for T-cell activation.

Monoclonal antibodies to the CD3 antigen on human T lymphocytes have been shown to induce accessory cell-dependent T-cell activation. One function of the accessory cells is cross-linking of CD3 by Fc receptor-binding of the anti-CD3 antibodies. Whether additional accessory signals are still required when anti-CD3 is presented in immobilized form is controversial. In the present study we stimulated purified human T cells with several anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies, which were immobilized by coating the culture wells with goat anti-mouse IgG. A first group of immobilized anti-CD3 antibodies (anti-Leu-4, UCHT1, anti-T3, WT32 and 64.1) induced vigorous T-cell proliferation in the complete absence of monocytes, even when anti-interleukin-1 beta antiserum was added to the cultures. Other immobilized anti-CD3 antibodies (OKT3, WT31) required interleukin-1 beta in order to induce T-cell proliferation. However, when OKT3 was immobilized by direct coating of the culture wells with OKT3, it was also able to induce accessory cell-independent production of interleukin-2 and T-cell proliferation. Interleukin-1 beta further enhanced the interleukin-2-dependent proliferative response and it could provide help to induce proliferation at doses of immobilized OKT3 which, by themselves, were insufficient for full T-cell activation. We conclude that the requirement for interleukin-1 beta to induce interleukin-2-dependent proliferation of T cells when stimulated with anti-CD3 antibodies is not absolute, but depends on the CD3 epitope recognized, on the way of antibody presentation, on the antibody concentration and on other, still undefined, characteristics of the monoclonal antibodies used.     

Reversal of the inhibitory effects of HIV-gp120 on CD4+ T cells by stimulation through the CD28 pathway

The effects of exposure to HIV-gp120 on proliferation and cytokine production by T cell lines were investigated. T cell lines were generated by stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from several healthy donors with cross-linked anti-CD3 antibodies and IL-2. These T cell lines exhibited the characteristics of Th1 cells, producing IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), but not IL-4, on stimulation with anti-CD3 antibodies. In the presence of gp120, stimulation with anti-CD3 antibodies was inhibited in terms of both proliferative responses and the secretion of IL-2 and IFN-γ. Similar effects were observed when a T cell line was stimulated in the presence of a synthetic peptide representing the CD4-binding region of gp120. Neither gp120 nor the CD4-binding region peptide had any effect on IL-4 production by the T cell lines. Stimulation through the CD28 pathway partially restored both the proliferative effect and cytokine production by T cell lines in response to anti-CD3 antibodies in the presence of gp120. Anti-CD28 antibodies also partially restored cytokine production when purified CD4⁺ T cells from a T cell line were stimulated with anti-CD3 antibodies in the presence of gp120. Anti-gp120 antibodies partially or completely reversed the inhibitory effects of gp120 on T cell proliferation. These results indicate that stimulation through the CD28 pathway may restore defective CD4⁺ T cell responses in HIV-infected individuals.     

Ligation of either CD2 or CD28 rescues CD4+ T cells from HIV-gp120-induced apoptosis

Temporal or quantitative imbalance in signals delivered to T cells via T cell antigen receptor (TCR), the CD4 co-receptor, and accessory molecules can lead to anergy, apoptosis, or both. This has been observed following ligation of CD4 by HIV gp120 prior to TCR occupancy. The ability of molecules such as CD2 and CD28, interacting with their ligands LFA-3 and B7, to provide signals that protect T cells from the induction of anergy, has been reported. Here, we demonstrate that ligation of CD2 and CD28 in conjunction with TCR occupancy rescue T cells that have been programmed for apoptotic death by prior CD4 ligation to gp120. This appears to be the result of augmented interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 release by the T cells following these molecular interactions. In conclusion, our results suggest that an impairment of antigen-presenting accessory cell functions could favor gp120-mediated apoptosis in HIV-uninfected cells.     

Induction of abortive and productive proliferation in resting human T lymphocytes via CD3 and CD28

How the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex mediates positive as well as negative signals for T-cell regulation is not fully understood. We have previously described the induction of anergy in resting human T lymphocytes after mitogenic, high-dose CD3 triggering with monoclonal antibodies. Here we report the concomitantly occurring cell death to be largely caused by apoptosis, which mainly affects the CD4+ T-helper population. Because cell death becomes detectable after initial cell proliferation, it appears that a high-dose CD3 stimulus constitutes a negative signal for resting T cells leading to an 'abortive proliferation' that is followed by anergy and/or apoptosis of the cells. In contrast, if initial proliferation is induced by a low dose of anti-CD3 in the presence of an accessory signal via the CD28 receptor, anergy and cell death are markedly reduced and 'productive proliferation' may occur. Productive proliferation is characterized by an increased secretion of various cytokines measured (interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)). A low-dose submitogenic CD3 stimulus induced neither anergy nor cell death, supporting the view that negative CD3 signalling requires proliferation of resting cells.     

Characterization of antibodies that inhibit HIV gp120 antigen processing and presentation

Antibodies to the CD4-binding site (CD4bs) of HIV-1 envelope gp120 have been shown to inhibit MHC class II presentation of this antigen, but the mechanism is not fully understood. To define the key determinants contributing to the inhibitory activity of these antibodies, a panel of anti-CD4bs monoclonal antibodies with different affinities was studied and compared to antibodies specific for the chemokine receptor-binding site or other gp120 regions. Anti-CD4bs antibodies that completely obstruct gp120 presentation exhibit three common properties: relatively high affinity for gp120, acid-stable interaction with gp120, and the capacity to slow the kinetics of gp120 proteolytic processing. None of these antibodies prevents gp120 internalization into APC. Notably, the broadly virus-neutralizing anti-CD4bs IgG1b12 does not block gp120 presentation as strongly, because although IgG1b12 has a relatively high affinity, it dissociates from gp120 more readily at acidic pH and only moderately retards gp120 proteolysis. Other anti-gp120 antibodies, regardless of their affinities, do not affect gp120 presentation. Hence, high-affinity anti-CD4bs antibodies that do not dissociate from gp120 at endolysosomal pH obstruct gp120 processing and prevent MHC class II presentation of this antigen. The presence of such antibodies could contribute to the dearth of anti-gp120 T helper responses in chronically HIV-1-infected patients.     

Differential susceptibility to monomeric HIV gp120-mediated apoptosis in antigen-activated CD4+ T cell populations

To support the hypothesis that indirect mechanisms mediated by viral products like the HIV envelope glycoprotein gp120 could be responsible for T lymphocyte depletion in HIV infection, we developed a system in which the impairment of T cell functions could be investigated in vitro. In particular, we characterized the conditions that allow T lymphocytes repeatedly stimulated with an antigen to be sensitive or resistant to gp120-mediated apoptotic signals. To achieve this goal, a panel of antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cell clones and primary CD4⁺ T lymphocytes were treated for 2 and 18 h with saturating amounts of monomeric gp120 (without cross-linking with specific antibodies) and antigen-driven T cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed. We show that monomeric gp120 induces apoptosis only in T lymphocytes repeatedly stimulated with the antigen, that primary T lymphocytes are resistant to programmed cell death mediated by monomeric gp120, but are sensitive to anti-CD4 antibodies, and that gp120-mediated apoptosis is dependent on the period of time between the binding of gp120 to CD4 and the encounter with antigen. To investigate the different susceptibility to gp120 induced apoptosis of primary CD4⁺ and T cell clones further, the number of membrane CD4 molecules and their affinity for gp120, together with Bcl-2 and Fas expression, were studied. Our data suggest that a down-modulation of membrane CD4 together with high expression of the Bcl-2 gene and protein characterizes the susceptibility to apoptosis of gp120-treated cells. In conclusion, our results define the phenotypic features of T cells susceptible to HIV gp120-induced apoptosis and demonstrate that the same clonotype, depending on the activation state, may present a differential sensitivity to apoptosis induction.     

In vivo alteration of humoral responses to HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 by antibodies to the CD4-binding site of gp120

The binding of antibodies to the CD4-binding site (CD4bs) of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120 has been shown to induce gp120 to undergo conformational changes that can expose and/or shield specific epitopes on gp120. Here, we study alterations in the antigenicity and immunogenicity of gp120 when complexed with human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for the CD4bs of gp120. The data showed that gp120 bound by anti-CD4bs mAbs had enhanced reactivity with mAbs to the V3 and N-terminal regions, but not with mAb to the C terminus. Moreover, mice immunized with the gp120/anti-CD4bs mAb complexes produced higher titers of gp120-specific serum IgG and IgA than mice immunized with uncomplexed gp120 or other gp120/mAb complexes. Notably, the enhanced antibody production was directed against V3 and correlated with better exposure of V3 on the gp120/anti-CD4bs mAb complexes. The higher antibody reactivity was evident against the homologous V3(LAI) peptide, but not against heterologous V3 peptides. Potent neutralization activity against HIV-1(LAI) was also observed in the sera from mice immunized with gp120/anti-CD4bs mAb complexes, although the sera exhibited poor neutralizing activities against other viruses tested. These results indicate that the anti-CD4bs antibodies alter the antigenicity and immunogenicity of gp120, leading to enhanced production of anti-gp120 antibodies directed particularly against the V3 region.     

Characterization of autoantibodies to the CD4 molecule in human immunodeficiency virus infection

Autoantibodies to the CD4 protein, which serves as a receptor for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on the surface of target cells, were found in patients with different stages of HIV disease. Using recombinant soluble CD4 (rCD4) antigen in a enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we detected serum anti-CD4 antibodies in approximately 20% of HIV-1 infected patients and 13% of HIV-2 infected patients. There was no correlation between the presence of anti-CD4 antibodies and the stage of HIV disease, serum IgG concentration, number of peripheral blood CD4 positive lymphocytes, or CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratios in HIV-1 infected patients. Immunoaffinity purified anti-CD4 antibody failed to bind to CD4 positive cells using flow cytometric analysis. However, this antibody could weakly bind to CD4 positive cells that had been preincubated with purified recombinant gp120 (rgp120). In addition, using an ELISA system, we found that the binding of purified patient anti-CD4 antibody to rCD4 was increased in the presence of rgp120. Similar increased binding was observed with the anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody OKT4, but not with anti-Leu3a. These data suggest that a conformational change in the C-terminal domains of CD4 may be induced by gp120 binding and could lead to development of anti-CD4 antibodies.     

AIDS pathogenesis: HIV envelope and its interaction with cell proteins

The immune deficiency induced by HIV has its origin in the interaction of the outer envelope glycoprotein gp120/gp41 with receptors present on human immunocytes. Virus binding to cells, virus entry and subsequent compartmentalization resulting in productive infection depends on the interaction of gp120/gp41 with CD4 and other accessory molecules. Gp120 and HIV are markedly immunosuppressive of T-cell responses and, in addition, HIV can functionally delete antigen responsiveness of T cells. Abolition of CD4 binding, by denaturation of gp120, allows study of T-cell epitopes in gp120 and shows the denatured molecule is highly immunogenic even in naive subjects (F. Manca, unpublished). The gp120-binding site of CD4 is shared with MHC class II molecules and the reaction of antibodies within this region of CD4 induces conformational changes that may be significant for virus entry into cells or for syncytial formation. The HIV envelope contains sites of sequence homology with monomorphic human MHC class II sites that do not appear to be naturally immunogenic in humans. In addition to the properties of gp120, it is hypothesized that HIV envelope may also represent an 'alloepitope' of class II to the human T-cell repertoire, and is therefore able to induce a chronic allogeneic response not dissimilar to experimentally induced GVHD. These features are of potential importance both for primary vaccination against HIV, and for the long-term treatment of HIV seropositive patients. Induction of effective T-cell responses to gp120 require use of a denatured or otherwise modified product lacking CD4-binding capacity. The potential distortion of the TCR repertoire by the class-II-homologous and CD4-interactive sequences must be assessed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Non-covalent complexes of HIV gp120 with CD4 and/or mAbs enhance activation of gp120-specific T clones and provide intermolecular help for anti-CD4 antibody production

The ‘dangerous liaison’ between CD4 and gp120 thatoffers the first entry opportunity to HIV may also provoke perturbationsof the immune control of the host with far-reaching immunopathologicalconsequences. We wondered whether a mechanism of intermolecularhelp (T help across the gap of a non-covalent bond, in contrastto the interamolecular help of carrier to hapten) could breakself-tolerance and be the cause of the frequent anti-CD4 autoantibodiesfound in AIDS patients. To determine whether this hypothesisdeserves further testing, we designed a series of in vitro andin vivo experiments of increasing complexity, focused on thepresentation of gp120 to specific T cells by antigen presentingcells (APC) exposed to the envelope protein in the form of non-covalentcomplexes. Bi-molecular complexes were constructed by allowinggp120 or gp160 to bind specific human mAbs. Tri-molecular complexeswere constructed by introducing CD4 as an intermediate ligandbetween gp120 and mouse mAbs specific for CD4. In all casesthe use of complexes did enhance the immunogenic capacity ofsubstimulatory doses of gp120 or gp160 by facilitating uptakeby APC via Fc receptor and consequent presentation to specifichuman T cell clones. Finally, help for the production in vivoof anti-CD4 antibodies was obtained from T lymphocytes specificfor gp120 when CD4-primed memory B cells were pulsed with CD4complexed with gp120, thus demonstrating in the mouse the entirecycle of intermolecular help via non-covalent interaction, andsetting the stage for future experiments on self-tolerance breakagein a human molecular context.     

Activation of Resting, Pure CD4+, and CD8+ Cells via CD3

We studied the requirements for secondary activation signals in pure CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after stimulation with anti-CD3 antibodies. Stimulation of CD4+ or CD8+ cells with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) bound to polystyrene monosized particles never resulted in a proliferative response. However, DNA synthesis was observed when recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) or other secondary signals, such as those provided by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or autologous accessory cells (AC), were also added. These secondary signals were not in themselves capable of inducing DNA synthesis in the absence of particle-bound anti-CD3. We also found that the signals provided by AC may be dependent on the activation state of these cells. Thus, the effects of accessory cells were enhanced by a factor present in fetal calf serum (FCS), most likely endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which alone, however, were not able to activate T cells, even in the presence of particle-bound anti-CD3. Recombinant IL-1 over a broad dose range was unable to replace PMA or activated AC after stimulation with particle-bound anti-CD3. Purified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells behaved identically in all the experiments, indicating that the basic mechanisms for activation in the two T-cell subsets are identical.     

Characterization of new monoclonal antibodies that discriminate between soluble and membrane CD4 and compete with human anti-CD4 autoimmune sera

In this report we present results on immunization of hu-CD4 C57Black/6J transgenic mice with HIV-1 gp120(451) complexed with its receptor protein, CD4. In addition to development of anti-gp120 antibodies, these mice also produced two anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies, designated T6 and T9. Both these antibodies recognize soluble CD4 but not membrane associated CD4. Their corresponding epitopes map to the D3-D4 domains of CD4. These characteristics are very similar to the HIV related anti-CD4 autoimmunity found in 10-15% of HIV-1 infected people. Therefore, 208 HIV-1 positive patients were screened for anti-CD4 humoral response of which 27 were found positive (13%). Sixteen of these patients were then tested for their ability to compete with the T6 and T9 anti-CD4 monoclonal antibodies. In such experiments saturating amounts of either T6 or T9 antibodies were able to prevent 20-80% of the human serum binding to immobilized soluble CD4 in competitive ELISA tests. The T6 and T9 antibodies therefore help to define distinct CD4 epitopes associated with clinical anti-CD4 autoimmunity.     

Role of B70/B7-2 in CD4+ T-cell immune responses induced by dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells (APC). However, the molecular basis underlying this activity remains incompletely understood. To address this question, we generated murine monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against human peripheral blood-derived DC. One such antibody, designated IT209, stained differentiated DC and adherent monocytes, but failed to stain freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The antigen recognized by IT209 was identified as B70 (B7-2; also recently identified as CD86). Using this mAb we studied the role of B70 in CD4+ T-cell activation by DC in vitro. IT209 partly inhibited the proliferative response of CD4+ T cells to allogeneic DC and to recall antigens, such as tetanus toxoid (TT) and purified protein derivative (PPD) of tuberculin, presented by autologous DC. More importantly, the mAb had a potent inhibitory effect on the primary response of CD4+ T cells to autologous DC pulsed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp160 or keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). Adherent monocytes, despite their expression of B70, failed to induce T-cell responses to these antigens. IT209-mediated inhibition of CD4+ T-cell responses was equivalent to that produced by anti-CD25 mAb, whereas an anti-CD80 mAb was only marginally inhibitory and did not augment the effect of IT209. These findings indicate that the B70 antigen plays an important role in DC-dependent CD4+ T-cell activation, particularly in the induction of primary CD4+ T-cell responses to soluble antigens. However, since activated monocytes, despite their expression of B70, failed to prime naive T cells to these antigens, our results suggest that additional molecules contribute to the functions of DC in CD4+ T-cell activation.     

Inhibition of HSV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes by recombinant-derived gp120 of HIV-1.

The ability of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and recombinant HIV-1 gp120 to prevent target cell lysis by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) was assessed by limiting dilution analysis. Live and inactivated HIV-1 as well as recombinant-derived gp120 all substantially inhibited HSV-1-specific CTL. Soluble CD4 antigen reversed the inhibition by gp120 when simultaneously added with gp120 to the assay. In addition, the monoclonal anti-CD4 antibody a-Leu3a mimicked the effects of gp120 in these experiments. These data suggest that the observed decrease in measurable CTL activity is caused by direct or steric hindrance of the CD4-class II major histocompatibility complex interaction between the effector and target cells.     

Clonal analysis of CD4 mediated accessory function on the effector activity of human CD4+ T cell subsets

Background: It has been reported for the peripheral T cell repertoire that CD4 molecules may enhance adhesion between T cells and antigen presenting cells and, through their physical association with T cell antigen receptors, contribute to signal transduction. Objective: The aims of this study were to determine if the modulation of CD4 molecules had differential effects on T cell recognition, antigen induced cytokine (IL-4 and IFNγ), release and the induction of specific anergy for human TH-0, TH-1 and TH-2 cells. Methods: A panel of anti-CD4 antibodies was examined for its ability to modulate T cell proliferation, cytokine production and tolerance induction in house dust mite (TH-0 and TH-2) and influenza haemagglutinin (TH-1) specific human CD4+ T cell clones all restricted by DRB1^*1101 and isolated from dust mite allergic individuals. Results: We observed that anti-CD4 antibodies may inhibit or enhance antigen mediated T cell proliferation, which may reflect the differential requirements of T cells for selective functions of CD4. Furthermore, IFNγ and IL-4 production was differentially modulated depending on the specificity of the anti-CD4 antibody and the clone of T cells. However, pretreatment of T cells with anti-CD4 antibody alone neither induced nor enhanced the susceptibility of T cells to peptide mediated anergy. Conclusion: Antigen recognition by different subsets of human CD4+ T cells has differential requirements on CD4, whereas the induction of specific anergy appeared to be independent of the functions of CD4 molecules. Antigen induced IFNγ production was more susceptible than IL-4 to the inhibitory effects of anti-CD4 antibodies. Furthermore, it appeared that certain anti-CD4 antibodies can dissociate antigen induced IFNγ and IL-4 production, and may downregulate IFNγ synthesis without inhibiting antigen dependent proliferation.     

Trypanosoma cruzi-induced immunosuppression: blockade of costimulatory T-cell responses in infected hosts due to defective T-cell receptor-CD3 functioning.

A model of experimental Trypanosoma cruzi murine infection with chemically induced metacyclic forms (opossum clone Dm28c) showed a marked state of T-cell unresponsiveness during acute phase, but lacked evidence of suppressor cell activity. Spleen cells from infected mice were suppressed in vitro in responses to T-cell activators concanavalin A, anti-Thy1 monoclonal antibody (MAb), and anti-CD3 MAb compared with spleen cells from control littermates. Activation with accessory cell-independent stimulus provided by immobilized anti-CD3 was defective in splenic CD4-positive T cells from infected mice, but not in such cells from control mice. No evidence of splenic suppressor cell activity was found in cell-mixing experiments using nylon-passed T cells from control and infected donors. Kinetic experiments showed that there was a discrete stage in infection when T cells were already suppressed in response to anti-CD3 but still responded to anti-CD69 MAb. In these T cells, immobilized anti-CD3 failed to enhance simultaneous CD69 responses, although anti-CD3 enhanced CD69 responses in control T cells from uninfected donors. These results demonstrate an intrinsic defect in T-cell receptor-mediated T-cell activation, which could be a mechanism generating T-cell suppression during infection by T. cruzi.     

Induction of anergy in resting human T lymphocytes by immobilized anti-CD3 antibodies

How the T cell receptor (TcR)/CD3 complex mediates not only the induction of T cell activation but also suppressive effects like T cell anergy or apoptosis is not well understood. Here we describe a series of preincubation and restimulation experiments which demonstrate that primary stimulation of resting, unseparated human T cells with mitogenic doses of immobilized anti-CD3 antibodies induces hyporesponsiveness upon restimulation of the cells. Various costimuli can prevent this type of anergy to a variable degree if present during the preincubation period, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) being the most and anti-CD4 antibody the least effective. If employed together with anti-CD3 antibody during the restimulation phase of the assay, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and anti-CD28 antibody break anergy almost completely. Proliferation induced by a submitogenic dose of anti-CD3 antibody supplemented by costimulatory signals (anti-CD2, anti-CD4, anti-CD28, IL-2, IL-4 or PMA) does not result in hyporesponsiveness. Taken together, these results support a modified view of the two-signal model for T cell activation according to which anergy induction in resting T cells occurs if primary proliferation is induced by high density triggering of the TcR/CD3 complex in the absence of accessory signals. We discuss possible implications of these findings for the induction of peripheral tolerance.     

Interactions of CD4+ and CD8+ human T lymphocytes from malaria-unprimed donors with Plasmodium falciparum schizont stage.

During Plasmodium falciparum malaria, a wide spectrum of parasite-encoded blood-stage proteins is presented to the immune system of the host. To explore their multiple interactions with T cells from donors who have had no previous exposure to the parasite, whole schizont extract was used in vitro. Both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes from all individuals tested were stimulated to proliferate. The responses were dependent on the presence of accessory cells and were only partially replaced by recombinant interleukin-1. Responses were inhibited by monoclonal antibodies to CD3, the alpha beta-chain T-cell receptor, or CD4 molecules but not to CD2. P. falciparum schizont extract-specific T-cell clones were generated and maintained by using sole stimulation by P. falciparum extract with autologous accessory cells or recombinant interleukin-2. Monoclonal antibodies to CD3 (or the alpha beta-chain T-cell receptor) blocked cloned T-cell responses to the schizont extract, and although the responses of the majority of the CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell clones were restricted by autologous accessory cells and inhibited by monoclonal antibodies to either CD4 or CD8, other clones responded to P. falciparum in the absence of accessory cells and were not regulated by the same monoclonal antibodies. The last category of clones consisted of autoreactive T cells. These data suggest that at the first contact with P. falciparum, requirements are met for significant T-cell stimulation.