Definition of a population of CD4-CD8- T cells expressing alpha/beta T cell receptor wich respond to IL2,IL3 and IL4

Whereas most T cells express surface CD4 or CD8 molecules, a minority lacks both. CD4-8- cells usually express the gamma/delta T-cell receptor, but here we describe a population of CD4-8- T cells from the peripheral blood that express the alpha/beta heterodimer. These cells have different surface antigens than gamma/delta + T cells, expressing CD5 but lacking CD16, and differ in function from gamma/delta T cells. CD4-8- alpha/beta cells lack non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytolytic function but can be induced to lyse their target cells after activation of their T-cell receptors. A peculiar characteristic of these cells is their responsiveness to interleukin 3. Since these cells have not altered their phenotype or function over a 12-month period in culture, they appear to be mature T cells. The results indicate that normal human peripheral blood contains two subsets of CD4-8- T cells, expressing either gamma/delta or alpha/beta receptors, that differ in function, phenotype, and growth control.