CD3+CD56+ NK T cells are significantly decreased in the peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, hyperproliferative skin disease, in which autoimmunity plays a great role. Natural killer T cells (NK T cells), are suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of different autoimmune diseases. To examine the involvement of CD3+CD56+ NK T cells in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, we investigated the lymphocyte subpopulations obtained from blood samples of psoriatic patients before and after treatment, and of healthy controls, using two-colour flow cytometry. We found no significant differences between total T cells, total B cells, T helper cells, T cytotoxic cells and NK cells in patients with psoriasis before and after treatment and in controls. Increased percentage of memory T cells and decreased percentage of naive T cells was detected in psoriatic patients compared to controls, but these changes were not statistically significant. The CD3+CD56+ cells of psoriatic patients were significantly decreased relative to controls. The percentage of CD3+CD56+ cells increased after different antipsoriatic therapies, but remained significantly lower than those found in controls. CD3+CD56+ cells of healthy controls were capable of rapid activation, while in psoriatic patients activated NK T cells were almost absent. The decrease in the number of CD3+CD56+ cells may represent an intrinsic characteristic feature of patients with psoriasis, which is supported by the fact that after treatment NK T cells do not reach the values found in controls. In conclusion our results suggest that CD3+CD56+ NK T cells could be actively involved in the development of Th1 mediated autoimmune diseases.     

不同结核病患者CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞表达的变化

Objective To investigate the expression of CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cell in patients with tuberculosis, and to discover its role in the immune response to mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods Thirty-three patients with tuberculosis and 30 healthy controls were selected who were consulted in our hospital. Patients were classified by their chemotherapy and smear sputum and CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cell were detected by flow cytometry. Results Expression of CD4 + CD25high and CD4+ CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cell in experimental group were ( 8.84 ± 2.55 ) % and (6.30 ± 1.38 ) % respectively, which were significantly higher than they were in control group (t = 3.57,4. 01, P ＜ 0. 01 ). The expression of CD4 + CD25high and CD4+ CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cell in patients with positive smear sputum were also significant higher than that in patients with negative smear sputum ( t = 2. 51,2. 42,P ＜ 0.05). No significance was founded between the first-visit group and revisit group ( t = 0. 03, 0. 02, P ＞ 0.05 ). Conclusions CD4 + CD25high and CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cell in patients with tuberculosis were higher than healthy control, which may result in immune suppression.     

The frequency of CLA+ CD8+ T cells in the blood of psoriasis patients correlates closely with the severity of their disease.

Psoriasis is thought to be a T cell-mediated skin disease and the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) is an important skin homing epitope for T cells. We have studied the relationship between disease severity (PASI) and phenotypic analysis of T cells in the blood of 36 patients with psoriasis focusing on the expression of CLA, VLA-4 and CD25 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The patients had a higher frequency of circulating CLA+ CD8+ cells than healthy controls. Furthermore, a much stronger correlation was observed between PASI and the frequency of CLA+ CD8+ than CLA+ CD4+ T cells. The frequency of CLA+D8+ T cells correlated more strongly with redness, thickness and scaling of the skin lesions than the total affected body surface area. In contrast to CLA the T cell expression of VLA-4 did not demonstrate any such correlation. Finally, the expression of the activation marker CD25 on CD8+ T cells showed a strong correlation with disease severity in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis (PASI > 10) but such correlation was not observed for CD4+ T cells. These findings support the notion that circulating CLA+ CD8+ T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.     

活动性肺结核病人外周血CD4~+/CD8~+Tim-3~+ T细胞群内记忆细胞分布特点

目的研究活动性肺结核病人外周血CD4+/CD8+Tim-3+T细胞群内记忆细胞分布特点。方法分离22例初治活动性肺结核病人PBMCs,用流式细胞仪分析比较CD4+/CD8+Tim-3+/Tim-3-T细胞群内的中央型记忆细胞(Tcm)和效应型记忆细胞(Tem)的分布。结果活动期初治肺结核病人外周血CD4+Tim-3+T细胞群包含更少的中央型记忆细胞(P<0.0001)和较多的效应型记忆细胞(P=0.0139),CD8+Tim-3+T细胞群包含较少的效应型记忆细胞(P=0.0065)。结论活动期初治肺结核CD4+Tim-3+T细胞群内含有更多的效应型记忆细胞可能会促使Tem对抗原的快速保护性免疫应答效应下降,从而促进结核分枝杆菌潜伏感染向活动性病变转变。Tim-3对记忆性T细胞分化、形成及功能的影响尚需进一步研究。     

共刺激分子CD40L在RA患者T细胞亚群中的异常表达

目的　探讨共刺激分子CD4 0L在类风湿关节炎 (RA)患者的T细胞亚群上的表达异常与免疫功能紊乱的关系。方法　用流式细胞仪采用直接免疫荧光法测定 4 6例RA患者和 2 0例健康对照人外周血T细胞表面标志CD3、CD4、CD8的表达情况及CD4 0L在CD4 + T和CD8+ T细胞上的表达。用IMMAGE免疫分析仪 ,速率散射比浊法测定血清中免疫球蛋白的水平。结果　RA患者CD3+ CD4 + 细胞较正常对照组显著增高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,CD3+ CD8+ 细胞较正常对照组显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,CD4 + T细胞和CD8+ T细胞上的CD4 0L的表达都较对照组显著增高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;血清中 3种免疫球蛋白IgG、IgA、IgM的水平均较对照组显著增高 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　RA患者以CD4 + T细胞活化为主 ,CD4 + T细胞和CD8+ T细胞上高表达的CD4 0L为T细胞活化提供第二信号 ,促使RA患者的细胞免疫功能亢进 ,同时诱导B细胞增生 ,产生大量免疫球蛋白。CD4 0 CD4 0L途径在RA免疫功能紊乱中起了重要作用     

Circulating CD4+CD8+ T lymphocytes in patients with Kawasaki disease

We serially monitored cell surface antigen expression on mononuclear cells in peripheral blood isolated from patients with Kawasaki disease (KD), and found, for the first time, that a markedly increased number of CD4⁺CD8⁺ T lymphocytes was present in some of the patients (11 of the 24 cases). The cases of five of these 11 patients were complicated with coronary artery lesion (CAL); the 13 patients with normal numbers of CD4⁺CD8⁺ T lymphocytes did not have CAL. The patients' age, sex and grade of systemic inflammation evaluated by peripheral leucocyte count and serum C-reactive protein levels were not correlated to the number of CD4⁺CD8⁺ T lymphocytes. Other cell surface antigen characteristics of the CD4⁺CD8⁺ T lymphocytes included CD3⁺, CD45RA⁺, CD45RO⁺, CD16^?, and HLA-DR⁺. These results indicate that the surface antigen characteristics of the KD peripheral blood examined were the same as those of Epstein–Barr virus infection without CD45RA⁺. These findings provide useful information for the analysis of the pathogenesis of KD.     

小细胞和非小细胞肺癌晚期患者CD3~+ CD4~+及CD3~+ CD8~+T淋巴细胞亚群的差异

目的:探索小细胞和非小细胞肺癌晚期患者CD3+CD4+及CD3+CD8+T淋巴细胞亚群是否存在差异,并为治疗提供参考。方法:选取肺癌晚期患者共65例,其中包括小细胞肺癌14例,非小细胞肺癌51例以及20例健康对照。用流式细胞仪检测研究对象外周血淋巴细胞表面CD3+CD4+及CD3+CD8+的表达情况。结果:CD3+CD4+T细胞所占比例无论是小细胞还是非小细胞肺癌晚期的患者都较健康对照显著降低;CD3+CD8+T细胞所占比例在肺癌晚期的患者较健康对照并无显著变化;CD4+/CD8+比值在小细胞肺癌晚期患者较健康对照显著下降。结论:无论是小细胞还是非小细胞肺癌晚期的患者CD3+CD4+T细胞的水平较健康人都显著降低,说明肺癌晚期患者细胞免疫功能严重受损。     

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞在子痫前期中作用机制的研究

目的 探讨子痫前期(PE)患者外周血中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞及胎盘组织Foxp3的表达水平.方法 73例PE患者分为MPE组(轻度PE,38例)和SPE组(重度PE,35例),以正常的孕妇作为对照组;采用流式细胞术(FCM)检测外周血中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞的表达水平,采用免疫组化法(IHC)检测胎盘组织Foxp3的表达水平;将Foxp3与CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T、胎盘重量和阿氏(Apgar)评分进行Spearman相关性分析.结果 SPE组、MPE组外周血中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞表达水平分别为4.23±0.74％、6.58±0.8％,均低于对照组的7.01±0.95 ％(P＜0.05),SPE组外周血中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞表达水平低于MPE组(P ＜0.05);SPE组、MPE组胎盘组织中Foxp3的阳性表达率分别为28.57％、47.37％,均低于对照组的82.76％(P ＜0.05),SPE组胎盘组织中Foxp3的阳性表达率显著低于MPE组(P＜0.05);胎盘组织中Foxp3的阳性表达率与CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞表达水平、胎盘重量及Apgar评分均呈正相关(P＜0.01).结论 PE与外周血中CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞表达水平下降密切相关.     

Foxp3在CD25+CD4+调节性T细胞发育和功能中作用的研究进展

CD25+CD4+调节性T细胞(Treg)是显性耐受的重要调节细胞,在免疫病理、自身免疫耐受的维持、针对病原体和肿瘤的免疫反应调节过程中发挥着关键的作用.Foxp3作为X染色体编码的叉头蛋白转录因子家族的一员,是Treg发育、分化和功能发挥所必不可少的.研究Foxp3调控机制及其在Treg生物功能中的作用对于Treg和显性耐受的研究具有极其重要的意义.     

Foxp3在CD25+CD4+调节性T细胞发育和功能中作用的研究进展

CD25+CD4+调节性T细胞(Treg)是显性耐受的重要调节细胞,在免疫病理、自身免疫耐受的维持、针对病原体和肿瘤的免疫反应调节过程中发挥着关键的作用.Foxp3作为X染色体编码的叉头蛋白转录因子家族的一员,是Treg发育、分化和功能发挥所必不可少的.研究Foxp3调控机制及其在Treg生物功能中的作用对于Treg和显性耐受的研究具有极其重要的意义.     

Increased hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD4+CD25+ regulatory T lymphocytes and reduced HCV-specific CD4+ T cell response in HCV-infected patients with normal versus abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels

CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells may play a role in the different clinical presentations of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by suppressing CD4+ T cell responses. Peripheral CD4+CD25+ T cells from chronic HCV carriers with normal and abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were analysed for specificity and effect on HCV-specific CD4+ T cell reactivity by flow cytometry for intracellular cytokine production and proliferation assay. HCV-specific CD4+CD25(+high) T cells consistently produced transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta but only limited amounts of interleukin (IL)-10 and no IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma. The HCV-specific TGF-beta response by CD4+CD25(+high) T cells was significantly greater in patients with normal ALT compared to patients with elevated ALT. In addition, a significant inverse correlation was found between the HCV-specific TGF-beta response by CD4+CD25(+high) T cells and liver inflammation. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), both HCV antigen-induced IFN-gamma production and proliferation of CD4+ T cells were greater in patients with elevated ALT compared with patients with normal ALT. Depletion of CD4+CD25+ cells from PBMC resulted in an increase of both IFN-gamma production and proliferation of HCV-specific CD4+ T cells that was significantly greater in patients with normal ALT levels compared with patients with elevated ALT. In addition, CD4+CD25+ T cells from patients with normal ALT levels proved to be significantly more potent to suppress CD4+ T cell reactivity with respect to those from patients with elevated ALT. In conclusion, these data support the hypothesis that CD4+CD25+ cells may play a role in controlling chronic inflammatory response and hepatic damage in chronic HCV carriers.     

CD3-induced apoptosis of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes in the absence of clonotypic T cell antigen receptor

Clonal selection of T cells mediated through the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) mostly occurs at the CD4⁺CD8⁺ double positive thymocyte stage. Immature CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymocytes expressing self-reactive TCR are induced to die upon clonotypic engagement of TCR by self antigens. CD3 engagement by antibody of the surface TCR-CD3 complex is known to induce apoptosis of CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymocytes, a process that is generally thought to represent antigen-induced negative selection in the thymus. The present study shows that the CD3-induced apoptosis of CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymocytes can occur even in TCRα^? mutant mice which do not express the TCRαβ/CD3 antigen receptor. Anti-CD3 antibody induces death of CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymocytes in TCRα^? mice either in cell cultures or upon administration in vivo. Interestingly, most surface CD3 chains expressed on CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymocytes from TCRα^? mice are not associated with clonotypic TCR chains, including TCRβ. Thus, apoptosis of CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymocytes appear to be induced through the CD3 complex even in the absence of clonotypic antigen receptor chains. These results shed light on previously unknown functions of the clonotype-independent CD3 complex expressed on CD4⁺CD8⁺ thymocytes, and suggest its function as an apoptotic receptor inducing elimination of developing thymocytes.     

Human CD45RA+ and CD45R0+ T cells exhibit similar CD3/T cell receptor-mediated transmembrane signaling capacities but differ in response to co-stimulatory signals

CD45RA⁺ cells have been described to be less responsive to CD3/T cell receptor (TcR)-mediated activation than CD45R0⁺ T cells. To analyze the underlying mechanism of the differential responses we compared CD3/TcR-triggered tyrosine phosphorylation in the two subsets and studied the role of co-stimulatory signals provided either by accessory cells or pharmacologic activation of protein kinase C by phorbol ester. Stimulation of purified CD45RA⁺ and CD45R0⁺ T cells with CD3/TcR antibodies induced similar patterns and intensities of tyrosine phosphorylation in the two subsets, but no proliferation. If accessory cells were used as the source of co-stimulatory signals, strong expression of the 55-kDa chain of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (CD25), significant IL-2 production and vigorous proliferation were observed in CD45R0⁺ cells, whereas CD45RA⁺ cells responded weakly. However, when CD3/TcR-mediated triggering was combined with activation of protein kinase C by phorbol ester, CD45RA⁺ cells responded strongly. These data indicate that the transmembrane signaling capacity of the T cell receptor expressed by CD45RA⁺ and CD45R0⁺ cells is similar and, therefore, is presumably not responsible for the differential reactivities of the two subsets. It is more likely that co-stimulatory signals determine whether CD3/TcR-initiated activation results in strong or weak responses.     

Relation between the increase of circulating CD3+ CD57+ lymphocytes and T cell dysfunction in recipients of bone marrow transplantation.

Some patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) persistently present increased proportions of circulating CD57+ T cells. We analysed the cell surface phenotype in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 69 allogeneic and 11 autologous BMT recipients. In parallel samples from 49 patients, the proliferative response to T cell mitogens was assessed, either in the presence or absence of exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2). PBMC samples from long-term allogeneic BMT patients with increased proportions of CD57+ cells displayed significantly (P less than 0.001) lower proliferative responses, compared with samples from patients with normal proportions of CD57+ cells and from healthy subjects. Elimination of the CD57+ population by C'-dependent lysis did not normalize the proliferative response. After positive selection by cell sorting, CD57+ cells responded poorly, but in the presence of IL-2 the proliferation appeared to be similar to that displayed by the CD57- subset and still suboptimal compared with normal controls. These data suggest that the hyporesponsiveness to mitogenic stimuli in the presence of exogenous IL-2 of PBMC from allogeneic BMT recipients cannot be simply attributed either to the putative suppressor activity of CD57+ cells, or to a poor proliferative capacity of this subset. Supporting this notion we report that PBMC from long-term autologous BMT recipients containing high proportions of CD57+ T cells respond normally to T cell mitogens.     

CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节T细胞抑制肺结核患者特异细胞免疫

  目的 了解结核患者外周血中CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节T细胞在抑制结核患者结核特异细胞免疫反应中的作用。 方法 使用细胞分离、流式细胞分析、细胞增殖和细胞因子测定等方法,比较结核患者及健康正常人群外周血中CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节T细胞的量及功能特征的差异。 结果 结核患者外周血中CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节T细胞数占CD4+细胞总数的比例显著高于健康正常人群;在BCG及ESAT-6的刺激下,结核患者外周血单个核细胞增殖能力和产生γ-干扰素的能力比健康正常人群明显增强。在BCG刺激下,结核患者外周血CD4-细胞产生γ-干扰素(1289.62±519.01)及白介素-10(1045.40±534.12)的能力比结核患者外周血BPMCs细胞产生γ-干扰素(624.50±261.13)及白介素-10(377.00±249.56)的能力显著增强(均p<0.05);在BCG及ESAT-6的刺激下,结核患者外周血CD4+CD25+调节T细胞显著抑制结核患者外周血CD4+CD25-细胞产生γ-干扰素及白介素-10。 结论 结核患者CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节T细胞数量增多,抑制结核患者结核特异细胞免疫反应功能增强,可能与结核的发生、发展及转归有密切关系。     

Lower percentage of CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood of patients with sporotrichosis

PurposeTo characterize the peripheral immunity and immunity response of patients with sporotrichosis, in this study we determined the lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of Chinese patients with sporotrichosis.MethodsIn this retrospective study, peripheral blood was collected from 69 sporotrichosis patients (37, fixed cutaneous form; 32 lymphocutaneous) and 66 healthy controls. Lymphocyte subsets were analyzed using flow cytometry.ResultsCompared to controls, the percentage of CD8+ T cells was lower in sporotrichosis patients. The percentage of CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood tended to become lower with disease duration and disease severity, although the difference was not statistically significant for either acute, subacute and chronic patients or fixed cutaneous and lymphocutaneous patients.ConclusionOur data indicate that the decrease of CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood of patients with sporotrichosis is associated with disease severity, although the difference was not statistically significant for either duration or clinical forms of the disease. Combining antifungal agents and immunomodulators in patients with long disease duration and lymphocutaneous may be more beneficial than antifungal monotherapy.     

Circulating memory CD8+ T cells are limited in forming CD103+ tissue-resident memory T cells at mucosal sites after reinfection

Tissue-resident memory CD8⁺ T cells (T_RM) localize to barrier tissues and mediate local protection against reinvading pathogens. Circulating central memory (T_CM) and effector memory CD8⁺ T cells (T_EM) also contribute to tissue recall responses, but their potential to form mucosal T_RM remains unclear. Here, we employed adoptive transfer and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus reinfection models to specifically assess secondary responses of T_CM and T_EM at mucosal sites. Donor T_CM and T_EM exhibited robust systemic recall responses, but only limited accumulation in the small intestine, consistent with reduced expression of tissue-homing and -retention molecules. Murine and human circulating memory T cells also exhibited limited CD103 upregulation following TGF-β stimulation. Upon pathogen clearance, T_CM and T_EM readily gave rise to secondary T_EM. T_CM also formed secondary central memory in lymphoid tissues and T_RM in internal tissues, for example, the liver. Both T_CM and T_EM failed to substantially contribute to resident mucosal memory in the small intestine, while activated intestinal T_RM, but not liver T_RM, efficiently reformed CD103⁺ T_RM. Our findings demonstrate that circulating T_CM and T_EM are limited in generating mucosal T_RM upon reinfection. This may pose important implications on cell therapy and vaccination strategies employing memory CD8⁺ T cells for protection at mucosal sites.     

CD73 expression on extracellular vesicles derived from CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells contributes to their regulatory function

CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells maintain immunological tolerance. In this study, the possibility that Treg cells control immune responses via the production of secreted membrane vesicles, such as exosomes, was investigated. Exosomes are released by many cell types, including T cells, and have regulatory functions. Indeed, TCR activation of both freshly isolated Treg cells and an antigen‐specific Treg‐cell line resulted in the production of exosomes as defined morphologically by EM and by the presence of tetraspanin molecules LAMP‐1/CD63 and CD81. Expression of the ecto‐5‐nucleotide enzyme CD73 by Treg cells has been shown to contribute to their suppressive function by converting extracellular adenosine‐5‐monophosphate to adenosine, which, following interaction with adenosine receptors expressed on target cells, leads to immune modulation. CD73 was evident on Treg cell derived exosomes, accordingly when these exosomes were incubated in the presence of adenosine‐5‐monophosphate production of adenosine was observed. Most importantly, CD73 present on Treg cell derived exosomes was essential for their suppressive function hitherto exosomes derived from a CD73‐negative CD4⁺ T‐cell line did not have such capabilities. Overall our findings demonstrate that CD73‐expressing exosomes produced by Treg cells following activation contribute to their suppressive activity through the production of adenosine.     

乙型肝炎肝硬化患者外周血Toll样受体2和4及CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞的变化

目的 检测乙型肝炎肝硬化患者外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuelear cells,PBMCs)表面Toll样受体(Toll-like receptor,TLR)2和TLR4以及CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(regulato-ry T cells,Treg)的表达,并探讨TLR2、TLR4与Treg的相关性.方法 分别应用抗-TLR2-PE、抗-TLR4-APC、抗-CD14-FITC及抗-CD4-PerCP、抗-CD25-FITC、扰-CD127-PE对67例研究对象[乙型肝炎肝硬化患者(HBV related liver cirrhosis,LC)30例、慢性乙型肝炎患者(chronic hepatitis B,CHB)21例、健康对照(normal control,Nc)16例]PBMCs表面分子进行免疫荧光染色,应用流式细胞仪分别对TLR2、TLR4及Treg进行检测.组间比较采用Kruskal-wallis秩和检验,相关性分析采用Spearman秩相关.结果 LC组、CHB组、NC组单核细胞表面TLR2、TLR4的平均荧光强度(MFI)分别为200.3±96.8和32.1±7.2、214.0±72.6和25.2 ±8.3、94.1 ±17.6和17.8 ±3.9.LC组与NC组、CHB组与NC组TLR2 MFI比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),LC组与CHB组TLR2 MFI差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).LC组与NC组、CHB组与NC、LC与NC组TLR4 MFI比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).LC组、CHB组、Nc组Treg占CD4+T淋巴细胞的比例分别为(5.07%±1.43%、5.88%±1.66%、4.21%±1.24%),CHB组与NC组、CHB组与LC组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而LC组与NC组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).在LC组,TLR4的表达与Treg呈正相关(r=0.469,P=0.032),TLR2与血清病毒载量呈负相关(r=-0.428,P=0.021).结论 LC患者,TLR2、TLR4的表达显著上调,TLR2、TLR4可能与乙型肝炎肝硬化的发生有关.     

Inhibition of anti-GD3-ganglioside antibody-induced proliferation of human CD8+ T cells by CD16+ natural killer cells

The ganglioside GD3 has been described as a membrane component of human T cells which is involved in T cell growth. In the present study the activating function of GD3 for human CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells was analyzed by five different monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed against the GD3 molecule. Three mAb U5, Z21 and R24 induced strong proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and purified CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells of normal donors containing less than 5% CD16⁺ natural killer (NK) cells. In contrast to CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells proliferated only weakly in the presence of 15% CD16⁺ NK cells. The proliferative response of purified CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells (<5% NK cells) correlated with the antibody-dependent induction of integral and soluble interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptors and was reduced to 20% by an anti-IL-2 receptor antibody. Our results show, that the GD3 molecule represents an activation molecule for both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and that CD16⁺ NK cells selectively inhibit anti-GD3 antibody-induced proliferation of CD8⁺ T cells.