Migration of human helper/inducer T cells in response to supernatants from Con A-stimulated suppressor/cytotoxic T cells.

Previous studies have shown that supernatants from Con A-stimulated human mononuclear cells are chemotactic for T cells, and that the source of the activity is the Leu-2 (suppressor/cytotoxic) T cell. The specificity of this chemoattractant activity for Leu-2 and/or Leu-3 (helper/inducer) T cells was analyzed with isolated human T cell subsets in an in vitro chemotaxis assay system. These studies demonstrate that both human Leu-2 and Leu-3 cells migrate in response to the lymphocyte locomotor stimulus casein, whereas only Leu-3 cells migrate in response to supernatants from Con A-stimulated mononuclear cells. This migration of Leu-3 cells to the Con A supernatant was reflected in both the distance migrated and the number of migrating cells. When Leu-2 cell locomotion in response to Con A supernatants was analyzed, no significant differences from control were observed in either the distance migrated or the number of migrating cells. Supernatants from Con A-stimulated Leu-2 cells similarly attracted Leu-3 cells but not Leu-2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Supernatants from Con A-stimulated Leu-3 cells did not stimulate either Leu-2 or Leu-3 cell migration. These studies demonstrate that Leu-3 T cells migrate in response to supernatants from Con A-stimulated Leu-2 T cells. This specific response may promote cell-to-cell interaction by providing a means for Leu-2 T cells to recruit Leu-3 T cells.