Division of human helper T cells into two sets on the basis of the induction of anti‐tumor cytotoxicity by phorbol ester and calcium ionophore

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Abstract
Fourteen noncytotoxic human helper T cell clones were examined for autocrine proliferative responses and cytotoxicity to tumor cells after stimulation with 12‐0‐tet‐radecanoylphorbol 13‐acetate (TPA) and ionomycin (Io). Although all clones responded to alloantigen, they could be divided into two groups based on their proliferative response or lack of it to TPA/Io. Nonresponders could not be converted to responder status by addition of interleukin (IL) 1 or indomethacin to the cultures. Responder status did not correlate with any of the following properties of the clones: originating donor, recognitive specificity, B cell helper activity, proliferative response to IL2 or 4, lymphokine secretory capacity or density of expression of antigen receptors, CD4 or HLA class II molecules. Responder status did, however, correlate with the ability of TPA/Io to induce major histocompatibility complex‐unrestricted cytolytic activity directed towards natural killer‐resistant tumor cells. These results divide human helper cells into two types on the basis of induction of anti‐tumor cytotoxicity.