Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate metabolism in activated T-cell clones

The role of cAMP in lymphocyte proliferation was investigated in the response of a monoclonal T-cell population to a specific antigen and compared to the response to interleukin-2 (IL-2) and allogeneic cells. Myelin basic protein (MBP)-reactive and encephalitogenic T-cell clones were established from long-term lines derived from SJL/J (H-2s) mice. The clone 4b.14a recognizes the peptide sequence 89-101 of the MBP molecule in association with 1-As products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Incubation of 4b.14a cells with syngeneic antigen-presenting cells, previously pulsed with the 89-101 synthetic peptide or with 80 U/ml of IL-2, or allogeneic H-2Ik cells, resulted in a significant increase in the accumulation of intracellular cAMP. This increase was preceded by a peak in membranal adenylate cyclase (AC) activity. Parallel time kinetics but significantly higher cAMP production and AC activity were observed when the cells were treated with pertussis toxin. At the same concentrations the toxin inhibits cellular proliferative responses, assayed by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Our results indicate the involvement of cAMP as a positive signal in the activation of the 4b.14a clone.