Purified peripheral blood T lymphocytes were incubated with inducers of cyclic nucleotides and examined for the numbers of T cells with receptors for IgM (T mu), IgG (T gamma), or IgA (T alpha). Isoproterenol and theophylline, agents known to increase cAMP levels at 10(-3) to 10(-6) M concentrations, significantly decreased the number of T mu cells but had no effect on T gamma or T alpha cell numbers. This effect of isoproterenol could be completely blocked by a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol. Receptors for IgM on T mu cells regenerated after treatment with theophylline when cells were washed and further incubated at 37 degrees C over a period of 12 to 24 hr in the absence of theophylline. Phenylephrine, at 10(-3) to 10(-6) M concentrations, significantly increased the numbers of T mu cells but had no effect on T gamma or T alpha cell numbers. The effect of phenylephrine could be completely blocked with an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, phentolamine. The significance of the results are discussed.