Differential effect of cyclosporin A on activation signaling in human T cell lines.

Different T cell lines, which can be induced to secrete interleukin 2 (IL-2) in vitro, were used to dissect the effect of cyclosporin A (CsA). The T leukemia cell Jurkat requires an increase in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca++]i) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for the induction of IL-2 production, which is completely blocked by CsA. Another T cell line, HUT 78, also produces IL-2 in response to a rise in [Ca++]i and PMA; however, in HUT 78, PMA alone induces low levels of IL-2 production that is not blocked by CsA. After treatment with 5-azacytidine, HUT 78 cells produced maximal levels of IL-2 in response to PMA alone without requiring [Ca++]i increasing stimuli. In these cells no inhibitory effect of CsA on PMA-induced activation could be demonstrated. In addition, CsA does not inhibit PMA-induced translocation of protein kinase C. These data suggest that CsA does not globally inhibit IL-2 gene expression, but rather interferes with signaling events of T cell activation.     

Human T cell activation. I. Monocyte-independent activation and proliferation induced by anti-T3 monoclonal antibodies in the presence of tumor promoter 12-o-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13 acetate

Three monoclonal antibodies (mAb), of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgM isotypes, raised against the T3 complex, were used to probe the activation of human T cells. The IgM antibody 235 was not mitogenic for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMC). It efficiently blocked the proliferation of PMC induced by T cell mitogens, alloantigens, and soluble antigens. The other two antibodies were mitogenic, and behaved similarly to Leu 4 and OKT3, respectively. In T cell preparations with less than 0.1% monocytes (as assayed by nonspecific esterase staining), all three mAb were not mitogenic. They failed to induce either interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor expression or IL-2 secretion. Addition of IL-1 failed to collaborate with anti-T3 mAb to induce these T cells to proliferate, but IL-2 enhanced T cell proliferation slightly. Monocyte-depleted T cells, however, proliferated in response to all three anti-T3 mAb, when TPA was added, in a dose-dependent manner. TPA induced a low level of IL-2 receptor expression in monocyte-depleted T cells, without inducing IL-2 secretion. Anti-T3 plus TPA induced a marked enhancement in both quantity and intensity of IL-2 receptor expression. IL-2 secretion was also detected. These results indicate that anti-T3 IgM can deliver an inductive signal despite its blockage of T cell proliferation, and that two signals are necessary and perhaps sufficient to induce human T cell activation and proliferation.     

Triggering of T cell proliferation through AIM, an activation inducer molecule expressed on activated human lymphocytes

In this report, we describe a novel activation antigen that appears very early after T cell activation and is absent in resting lymphocytes, through which agonistic proliferative signals can be triggered by mAb binding. It has been designated as activation inducer molecule (AIM) and is a disulphide-linked heterodimeric structure containing two polypeptide chains of Mr 33,000 and 27,000. The expression of AIM can be induced by different activation stimuli such as PMA, PHA, or anti-CD3 mAb, but not by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, and it precedes the expression of other activation molecules such as 4F2 or the IL-2-R. Once AIM antigens are expressed on lymphocytes after stimulation with submitogenic doses of PMA, the binding of anti-AIM mAbs triggers a strong proliferative response. Furthermore, a comitogenic effect of the anti-AIM mAbs is exerted in the presence of either PHA or anti-CD3 mAb. The activation of lymphocytes through AIM antigens induces both IL-2 and IL-2-R receptor synthesis and is inhibited by anti-IL-2-R mAbs.     

Human T cell activation. II. A new activation pathway used by a major T cell population via a disulfide-bonded dimer of a 44 kilodalton polypeptide (9.3 antigen)

In previous studies (17-21), monoclonal antibody (mAb) 9.3 has been shown to react with a major population of human T cells, which include T4+ helper/inducer T cells and T8+ cytotoxic T cells. In this investigation, mAb 9.3 was shown to precipitate a disulfide-bonded dimer of a 44 kD polypeptide. Comodulation experiments showed that this molecule is not linked to T3/Ti or T11 antigens. mAb 9.3 was capable of inducing T cell proliferation in the presence of 12-o-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). This effect was monocyte-independent. T cell activation with mAb 9.3 and TPA was associated with increases in interleukin 2(IL-2) receptor expression and IL-2 secretion. mAb 9.3 did not activate T cells, even with the addition of IL-1 or IL-2. Modulation of the T3 complex did not abolish mAb 9.3-induced T cell proliferation in the presence of TPA. These results suggest that the 9.3 antigen may serve as a receptor for an activation pathway restricted to a T cell subset.     

Human T cell activation. III. Rapid induction of a phosphorylated 28 kD/32 kD disulfide-linked early activation antigen (EA 1) by 12-o- tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, mitogens, and antigens

With human T cells activated by 12-o-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as immunogen, an IgG2a mAb, early activation antigen 1 (EA 1), was generated against a 60-kD protein with disulfide-linked 28-kD and 32-kD subunits. Both subunits were phosphorylated. The antigen, EA 1, was readily detected on approximately 60% of isolated and cryopreserved thymocytes, as determined by indirect immunofluorescence. A low level of EA 1 expression was detectable on 6-7% of blood lymphocytes. TPA-activated T cells expressed EA 1 as early as 30 min after activation. By 1 h, 85-90% of the T cells stained with mAb EA 1. By 3-4 h, the expression of EA 1 was detected in greater than 95% of the T cells. Although the percentages of EA 1+ T cells did not change, the intensity of staining increased slightly. After 18-24 h, both the percentage of EA 1+ cells and the intensity of staining decreased gradually. TPA-induced EA 1 expression was independent of monocytes. EA 1 expression was slightly delayed in T cells that were isolated without the rosette selection and treated with TPA. Nevertheless, greater than 85% of these T cells expressed EA 1 within 1 h, and the maximal number of EA 1+ T cells was also detected at 3-4 h. In T cell populations with 1-2% monocytes, about 50-90% of the PHA- or Con A-activated T cells expressed EA 1 with a slower kinetics. EA 1 expression preceded that of IL-2-R in these activation processes. Similarly, T cells activated by soluble antigens (tetanus toxoid and PPD) and alloantigens in MLR also expressed EA 1 after a longer incubation. Approximately 20% of the T cells stained for EA 1 at day 6. EA 1 expression was not limited to activated T cells. B cells activated by TPA or anti-IgM antibody plus B cell growth factor expressed EA 1. The kinetics of EA 1 expression was markedly slower and the staining was less intense. Repeated attempts to detect EA 1 on resting and TPA-activated monocytes and granulocytes have not been successful. However, the detection of EA 1 in nonlymphoid cell lines would indicate that EA 1 may have a broader cell distribution. EA 1 expression was due to de novo synthesis, as the induction of EA 1 was blocked by cycloheximide and actinomycin D.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Inhibition of Ly-6A antigen expression prevents T cell activation

Antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the 5' end of the mRNA encoding the Ly-6A protein were used to block the expression of that protein. Using this approach we could inhibit the expression of Ly-6A by 60-80% in antigen-primed lymph node (LN) T cells as well as in the D10 T cell clone. Inhibition of Ly-6 expression resulted in the inability to restimulate in vitro, antigen-primed T cells. It also blocked the activation of normal spleen cells by Con A, monoclonal antibody (mAb) to CD3, and mAb to Ly-6. In contrast, stimulation of normal spleen cells with the pharmacological agents PMA + ionomycin were unaffected by the inhibition of Ly-6 expression. Similar results were obtained with the D10 T cell clone; stimulation with Con A + interleukin 1 (IL-1), antigen-presenting cells (APC), or the clonotypic antibody + IL-1 was greatly reduced in the presence of antisense oligonucleotides to Ly-6. Stimulation with PMA + ionomycin was again unaffected. We also studied the effect of antisense oligonucleotides on stimulation of preactivated D10 cells. Preactivation of D10 cells with Con A + IL-1 renders them receptive to secondary stimulation by other lymphokines. In this case, antisense oligonucleotides to Ly-6 had no effect on secondary activation with IL-2, IL-4 + IL-1, or PMA + ionomycin. We conclude from these studies that Ly-6 expression is required for T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated T cell activation.     

Reduced interferon-gamma mRNA levels in human neonates. Evidence for an intrinsic T cell deficiency independent of other genes involved in T cell activation

IFN-gamma mRNA levels in human neonatal blood mononuclear cells or highly purified T cells were markedly lower than those of adult cells after incubation with Con A and PMA. In contrast, IL-2, IL-2-R, and T3 delta chain mRNA levels were kinetically and quantitatively similar in neonatal and adult T cells. The peak amount of IFN-gamma and IL-2 mRNA correlated well with IFN-gamma and IL-2 detected in supernatants of both neonatal and adult T cells. These results suggest that reduced IFN-gamma mRNA levels in neonatal T cells is due to an intrinsic deficiency at the pretranslational level and indicate that the magnitude of IL-2 and IFN-gamma gene expression can be independently modulated pretranslationally.     

Activation of rat T lymphocytes by anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies

Rat T cells and thymocytes were induced to proliferate by a pair of mAbs, MRC OX-54 and MRC OX-55, directed against rat CD2. Accessory cells were required but their role was not simply for crosslinking of the two mAbs, as neither MRC OX-54 nor MRC OX-55 alone, in the presence of a crosslinking second antibody, caused T cell mitogenesis. Nor could the phorbol ester PMA replace either antibody. The two mAbs recognized distinct epitopes on rat CD2; however, MRC OX-54 could partially block MRC OX-55 binding whereas the reverse situation was not seen. A further CD2 epitope was recognized by two mutually competitive mAbs, MRC OX-34 and MRC OX-53, which were not mitogenic. Neither MRC OX-34 nor MRC OX-53 affected the binding of MRC OX-54 or MRC OX-55, yet they prevented the mitogenic effect induced by these mAbs. The presence of mAbs against CD4 and the IL-2-R also abrogated this mitogenesis, whereas an anti-CD5 mAb augmented the CD2-induced proliferation.     

T cell stimulation via the erythrocyte receptor. Synergism between monoclonal antibodies and phorbol myristate acetate without changes of free cytoplasmic Ca++ levels

We observed that certain E-receptor antibodies (CD2 antibodies) can induce proliferation of resting human T cells in the presence of PMA, while other CD2 antibodies fail to have such an effect. The same CD2 antibodies that were mitogenic in the presence of PMA (9.6, X11, VIT13), but not the nonreactive ones, were also able to induce T cell proliferation via the so-called alternative pathway of T cell activation, i.e., when added pairwise in certain combinations to T cells in the absence of PMA. While the simultaneous addition of two comitogenic CD2 antibodies (9.6 or X11 plus VIT13) or the addition of a single nonmitogenic CD3 antibody (VIT3) led to a clearcut elevation of intracellular Ca++ levels, no such effect could be observed after the addition of one CD2 antibody alone. Even in the presence of PMA, one comitogenic CD2 antibody alone was unable to trigger a significant Ca++ response, although this combination induced a proliferative response. These data indicate that, distinguishable by their influence on free cytoplasmic Ca++, there are two different mechanisms of T cell activation via CD2. While simultaneous triggering with two antibodies leads to cell proliferation preceded by an increase of Ca++ levels, stimulation with one antibody plus PMA results in proliferation without a measurable early Ca++ response. We conclude that T cells treated by certain CD2 antibodies alone already recognize an activation signal probably unrelated to Ca++ homeostasis, a signal that can further be developed by PMA to result in a completely developed proliferative response.     

B cell stimulatory factor 1 (interleukin 4) is sufficient for the proliferation and differentiation of lectin-stimulated cytolytic T lymphocyte precursors

In this report, we demonstrate that IL-4 is sufficient to stimulate both the proliferation and differentiation of Lyt-2+, Ia- splenic CTL precursors stimulated with the mitogenic lectin Con A. The response to IL-4 and Con A was not dependent on a putative endogenous production of IL-2 within the cultures, as demonstrated by an absence of an inhibitory effect by an anti-IL-2-R blocking mAb. Our results indicate that IL-2 and IL-4 can support an equivalent proliferative response by lectin-stimulated Lyt-2+ T lymphocytes, while IL-4 is more efficacious in stimulating their differentiation into mature cytolytically active cells.     

Involvement of T44 molecules in an antigen-independent pathway of T cell activation. Analysis of the correlations to the T cell antigen- receptor complex

Prior studies indicate that the 9.3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) which defines a 44 kD T lineage-specific glycoprotein (T44) enhances the proliferative response of peripheral blood T lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or allogeneic cells. The T44 molecule was expressed in both resting and activated T lymphocytes and in a subset of thymocytes, as assessed by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytofluorometry. In view of the potential importance of T44 in T cell activation, we investigated the ability of the 9.3 (anti-T44) antibody to stimulate peripheral blood T lymphocytes under culture conditions giving optimal proliferative responses to anti-T3 mAb. Like UCHT1 (anti-T3) mAb, the 9.3 (anti-T44 mAb) promoted strong proliferative responses of purified T cells, provided that adherent cells were added to the culture. Maximal proliferation in response to 9.3 antibody was consistently detected at day 5 (at day 3 with anti-T3 or PHA). Moreover, triggering of T lymphocytes with 9.3 antibody (in the presence of adherent cells) resulted in strong IL-2 production that peaked at 48 h. Analysis of the physical and functional relationship between the T44 molecule and other molecules involved in T cell activation, including the clonotypically restricted Ti and the monomorphic T3 or T11 molecules, was carried out on a mutagenized jurkat T leukemia cell line. This mutant, termed JA3 (surface phenotype: T11+, T3+, 3A1+, T4-, T8-, DR-, Tac-, 4F2+, T44+) produced large amounts of IL-2 upon stimulation with PHA, anti-T3, or anticlonotypic mAb in conjunction with phorbol myristate acetate (or adherent cells). The molecules precipitated by anti-T44 mAb from 125I-labeled JA3 cells appeared as a diffuse band of Mr 40-45,000 under reducing conditions; under nonreducing conditions, a prominent band of Mr 80-85,000 was observed, while the Mr 40-45,000 band was greatly reduced. Thus, T44 molecules in both reducing and nonreducing conditions had relative molecular weights similar to that of molecules carrying clonotypic (Ti) determinants. In addition, like anti-Ti or anti-T3 mAb, anti-T44 antibody induced JA3 cells to produce large amounts of IL-2 in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate. Other similarities between T44 and molecules carrying clonotypic structures included the susceptibility to antibody-induced modulation and the late reexpression (72 h) at the cell surface after modulation. Taken together, these experiments suggest that anti-T44 mAb might recognize a monomorphic determinant of the T cell receptor molecule or be physically or functionally linked to the T3-Ti complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Role of Ly-6 in lymphocyte activation. II. Induction of T cell activation by monoclonal anti-Ly-6 antibodies

The Ly-6 locus controls the expression and/or encodes for alloantigenic specificities found primarily on subpopulations of murine T and B lymphocytes. We have recently identified and characterized a new rat mAb, D7, that recognizes a nonpolymorphic Ly-6 specificity. After crosslinking by anti-Ig reagents or by Fc receptor-bearing accessory cells, mAb D7 could induce IL-2 production from T cell hybridomas, and in the presence of PMA could trigger a vigorous proliferative response in resting peripheral T cells. The addition of mAb D7 to cultures of antigen- and alloantigen-, but not mitogen-stimulated T cells resulted in a marked augmentation of the proliferative response. A number of other well-characterized mAbs to Ly-6 locus products could also stimulate a T cell proliferative response after crosslinking by anti-Ig and in the presence of PMA. These results strongly suggest that Ly-6 molecules may play a critical role in the T cell activation cascade, either as receptors for an unidentified soluble or cell-associated ligand or as transducing molecules that modulate signals initiated by antigen stimulation of the T3-Ti complex.     

Leukocyte function-associated antigen 1 is an activation molecule for human T cells

The leukocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) molecule is well established as a surface protein involved in cellular adhesion and interaction, but there has been little information about whether engagement of this molecule can also directly modify cellular activation. These studies demonstrate that crosslinking the LFA-1 molecule on human T cell clones transmits a unique signal to the cell. Crosslinking LFA-1 alone did not increase intracellular calcium ([ CA2+]i), nor did crosslinking LFA-1 activate the cells as measured by IL-2 production or [3H]thymidine incorporation. However, when CD3 and LFA-1 were crosslinked, a more prolonged calcium signal was observed than when CD3 alone was crosslinked. Moreover, IL-2 production and DNA synthesis were greatly augmented. These responses could be demonstrated when LFA-1 was crosslinked via either the alpha or the beta chain, and required surface expression of the LFA-1 molecule as no enhancement was observed in T cell clones from a child with leukocyte adhesion deficiency. The enhancement of cellular activation by LFA-1 did not require that it be directly crosslinked to the CD3 complex. Thus, crosslinking LFA-1 alone with isotype-specific secondary antibodies on cells also pretreated with an anti-CD3 mAb of a different Ig isotype stimulated the cells as effectively as crosslinking both surface antigens with GaMIg. Similarly, a delayed, but sustained increase in [Ca2+]i was elicited. This increase in [Ca2+]i and the enhanced functional responses required engagement of CD3 with an intact bivalent anti-CD3 mAb, as crosslinking LFA-1 on cells also reacted with Fab fragments of an anti-CD3 mAb did not increase [Ca2+]i, nor activate the cells. These data indicate that LFA-1 can convey activation signals to T cells. Synergism in signaling can be observed upon crosslinking of LFA-1 and independently crosslinking CD3. In the physiologic interaction between T cells and accessory cells, the interaction of LFA-1 with its ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, may therefore not only facilitate cellular adhesion, but also may amplify T cell activation by delivering costimulatory signals.     

Human B cell activation. Evidence for diverse signals provided by various monoclonal anti-IgM antibodies

Seven murine monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with different binding characteristics for human IgM varied markedly in their ability to induce proliferation of T cell-depleted human splenocytes. Two mAb (HB57 and 5D7) that bound to distinct epitopes on IgM were highly effective initiators of B cell proliferation at very low concentrations, in the presence of a T cell factor source. In the absence of T cell supernatant, both HB57 and 5D7 mAbs produced a markedly reduced degree of stimulation at all concentrations. Two additional anti-IgM mAb (VIIIE11 and Mu53) were distinctive in that, even at high concentrations, only limited proliferation was observed compared with the first group of mAb. This proliferation depended on the presence of T cell supernatant. Competitive-binding studies revealed that the epitope recognized by mAb Mu53 may be identical or very proximate to that recognized by HB57. Three other mAb (1G6, XG9, and P24) induced little or no proliferation. 1G6 bound to a unique epitope on the IgM molecule, whereas XG9 shared a determinant with VIIIE11 mAb. Regulatory influences of Fc receptor binding cannot account for all the diversity in proliferation observed with the individual anti-IgM mAb. Markedly augmented proliferation was obtained when B cells were cultured with certain combinations of anti-IgM mAb in the presence of exogenous T cell supernatant. The proliferation induced in the absence of T cell supernatant by high concentrations of mAb mixtures that included 1G6 approached that observed for the same mixtures in the presence of T cell supernatant. The data suggest that certain signals delivered through membrane IgM can bypass the need for T cell supernatant in the activation of human B lymphocytes.     

Recombinant interferon-alpha selectively inhibits the production of interleukin-5 by human CD4+ T cells.

The effects of recombinant IFN-alpha on the production of IL-5 by human CD4+ T cells were first analyzed on resting CD4+ T cells purified from normal PBMC and stimulated either with a combination of PMA and anti-CD28 mAb or anti-CD3 mAb cross-linked on B7-1/CD32-transfected mouse fibroblasts. We found that IFN-alpha profoundly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner IL-5 production by resting CD4+ T cells whereas IL-10 was upregulated in both systems. The addition of a neutralizing anti-IL-10 mAb to PMA and anti-CD28 mAb upregulated IL-5 production by resting CD4+ T cells but did not prevent IFN-alpha-induced IL-5 inhibition. We then analyzed the effect of IFN-alpha on the production of cytokines by differentiated type 2 helper (Th2) CD4+CD3- cells isolated from peripheral blood of two patients with the hypereosinophilic syndrome. In both cases, IFN-alpha markedly inhibited IL-5 production while it induced mild upregulation of IL-4 and IL-10. Finally, the inhibitory effect of IFN-alpha on IL-5 production was confirmed on a panel of Th2 and Th0 clones generated in vitro. In 2 out of 6 clones, IL-5 inhibition was associated with upregulation of IL-4 and IL-10. We conclude that IFN-alpha selectively downregulates IL-5 synthesis by human CD4+ T cells.     

Early signaling defects in human T cells anergized by T cell presentation of autoantigen.

Major histocompatibility complex class II-positive human T cell clones are nontraditional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that are able to simultaneously present and respond to peptide or degraded antigen, but are unable to process intact protein. Although T cell presentation of peptide antigen resulted in a primary proliferative response, T cells that had been previously stimulated by T cells presenting antigen were completely unresponsive to antigen but not to interleukin 2 (IL-2). In contrast, peptide antigen presented by B cells or DR2+ L cell transfectants resulted in T cell activation and responsiveness to restimulation. The anergy induced by T cell presentation of peptide could not be prevented by the addition of either autologous or allogeneic B cells or B7+ DR2+ L cell transfectants, suggesting that the induction of anergy could occur in the presence of costimulation. T cell anergy was induced within 24 h of T cell presentation of antigen and was long lasting. Anergized T cells expressed normal levels of T cell receptor/CD3 but were defective in their ability to release [Ca2+]i to both alpha CD3 and APCs. Moreover, anergized T cells did not proliferate to alpha CD2 monoclonal antibodies or alpha CD3 plus phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), nor did they synthesize IL-2, IL-4, or interferon gamma mRNA in response to either peptide or peptide plus PMA. In contrast, ionomycin plus PMA induced both normal proliferative responses and synthesis of cytokine mRNA, suggesting that the signaling defect in anergized cells occurs before protein kinase C activation and [Ca2+]i release.     

Role of interleukin 6 for differential responsiveness of naive and memory CD4+ T cells in CD2-mediated activation

The present study was undertaken to elucidate different requirements for CD2-mediated activation of naive (CD45RO-) and memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ T cells. A mitogenic combination of anti-CD2 (anti-T11(2) and anti-T11(3] mAbs could effectively induce the proliferation of memory CD4+ T cells even in the absence of monocytes. In marked contrast, naive CD4+ T cells did not disclose any proliferative responses to anti-CD2 mAbs, when monocytes were absent in culture. This differential responsiveness of naive and memory CD4+ T cells appeared to be related largely to a difference in IL-6-producing ability between both populations. IL-6 among monocyte-derived cytokines could correct unresponsiveness of naive CD4+ T cells to anti-CD2 stimulation. Unlike naive CD4+ T cells, memory CD4+ T cells produced IL-6 by themselves, with its mRNA being expressed on anti-CD2 stimulation. Anti-IL-6R mAb significantly inhibited proliferation of memory CD4+ T cells seen in the anti-CD2-stimulated cultures without monocytes, indicating the involvement of their own production of IL-6 in CD2-mediated activation. The results suggest an essential role of IL-6 for triggering of CD4+ T cells via the CD2 molecule.     

Regulation of T lymphocyte proliferation. Interleukin 2-mediated induction of c-myb gene expression is dependent on T lymphocyte activation state

We previously reported that with time, after antigenic stimulation of antigen-regulated murine T lymphocyte clones, total IL-2-R expression decayed 10-50-fold, commensurate with a decline in the ability of the cells to proliferate to IL-2. However, late after antigenic stimulation, when the cells were refractory to the IL-2-proliferative stimulus, high levels of high affinity IL-2-R remained. In this report we further explore the basis of unresponsiveness to IL-2 in the quiescent clones. We show that the proto-oncogene c-myc is induced in the late cell population by IL-2 to comparable levels observed early after antigen stimulation. IL-2-dependent c-myb induction, however, is seen only early after activation but not in the late-activated population. Analysis of the IL-2-dependent expression of c-myb mRNA with time after antigenic stimulation showed that steadystate c-myb expression declines dramatically with kinetics closely paralleling a decay in IL-2-dependent proliferative ability. In contrast, steadystate c-myc expression remains high throughout this period. Expression of c-myb is critical for proliferation of these cells since antisense oligodeoxy-nucleotide to c-myb can inhibit their IL-2-dependent proliferation. We present evidence for a pathway of c-myb induction via the TCR that is independent of the IL-2/IL-2-R interaction. In addition, the inhibition of IL-2-R-induced c-myb expression by 2-aminopurine and enhanced induction of c-myb via the TCR demonstrate that TCR activation and IL-2-R activation lead to induction of c-myb by different mechanisms.