T-LYMPHOCYTES FROM THE NORMAL HUMAN PERITONEUM CONTAIN HIGH-FREQUENCIES OF TH2-TYPE CD8(-CELLS() T)

The majority of peritoneal T lymphocytes have been shown to be CD8(+) and to co-express CDw60. Expression of CDw60 characterized CD8 T cells capable of secreting interleukin (IL)-4 and supporting IgG production by B cells. We analyzed at the clonal level the functional cytokine p rofile of CD8(+) T lymphocytes from the normal human peritoneum. While the majority of the clones produced interferon (IFN)-gamma and exhibi ted high alloantigen-specific cytolytic activity, some clones secreted IL-4 and IL-5 but no detectable IFN-gamma. These Th2-type CD8(-) T ce ll clones provided substantial B cell help for IgG and IgA synthesis a nd exhibited reduced cytolytic activity. Our results suggest that dist inct subsets of CD8(-) T cell may occur in different immune compartmen ts.