Dissociated expression of receptors for interleukin 2 and transferrin in the presence of preformed suppressor T cells and interleukin 2.

In vitro activated suppressor cells were tested for their ability to inhibit TFR expression. Interleukin 2 receptors and TFR are similarly suppressed on both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Addition of exogenous rIL2 permits appearance of IL2R but not TFR on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In the presence of rIL2, however, the percentage of CD4+ T cells is significantly diminished, while Leu11-positive natural killer cells escape the regulatory effect of Ts.