PREFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF CD30 BY HUMAN CD4(-CELLS PRODUCING TH2-TYPE CYTOKINES() T)

A large panel of human CD4(+) T helper (Th) cell clones with establish ed Th1, Th2, or Th0 profiles of cytokine secretion were examined for t he expression of CD30, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Th1 clones expressed poor or no CD30 mRNA, and showed low or undetectable expression of both membrane and soluble CD30 (sCD30) protein, whereas Th2 clones showed both CD30 mRNA and membrane CD30 an d released substantial amounts of sCD30. Th0 clones exhibited an inter mediate pattern of CD30 expression and release. When T cells from the same donor were stimulated with three different antigens (purified pro tein derivative, PPD; Toxocara canis excretory/secretory antigen, TES; Lolium perenne group I, Lo1 p I), production of high concentrations o f IFN-gamma, but not expression of CD30 or production of IL-4 and IL-5 , were observed at any time after stimulation with PPD. In contrast, b oth CD30 expression and production of IL-4 and IL-5, but not of IFN-ga mma, were concomitantly detectable in TES- and Lo1 p I-reactive T cell s, suggesting a temporal relationship between CD30 expression and begi nning of Th2-type cytokine production. Finally, CD4(+)CD30(+) T cells specific for Lo1 p I and inducible to production of Th2-type cytokines were sorted out from the circulation of grass-sensitive patients in c oncomitance with the onset of allergic symptoms during the seasonal ex posure to grass pollen. Thus, CD30 expression appears to be associated with the differentiation/activation pathway of human T cells producin g Th2-type cytokines.