The OKT4 monoclonal antibody reacts with a 62 KD cell surface glycoprotein present on a subset of human T cells with the capacity to help or induce B-cell differentiation. The OKT8 monoclonal antibody reacts with a 76 KD cell surface glycoprotein present on a subset of human T cells with the capacity to suppress B-cell differentiation. The current studies were undertaken to determine whether the T4 and/or T8 antigens themselves play any role in the helper or suppressor function mediated by OKT4+ or OKT8+ cells. Specifically, we asked if monoclonal antibodies that react with noncompeting epitopes on the T4 or T8 molecules could block helper or suppressor function. Isolated human B cells were triggered in vitro to differentiate into antibody-forming cells (AFC) by autologous OKT4+ cells and macrophages in the presence or absence of OKT4 antibodies. By means of a reverse hemolytic plaque assay, AFC were detected as plaque-forming cells (PFC). We found that OKT4A, but not OKT4, antibody inhibited the PFC response over a wide range of concentrations. The antibodies OKT4B, OKT4C, OKT4D, OKT4E inhibited the PFC response to varying degrees. Importantly, inhibition by OKT4A occurred only if the antibody was present during the first 24 hours of cell culture. In the second set of experiments, OKT8+ cells were added to cultures containing B cells, and OKT4+ cells in the presence or absence of OKT8 antibodies, PFC activity was measured 7 days later. We found that the addition of OKT8E or OKT8G, but not OKT8B, OKT8C, OKT8D, OKT8F, or OKT8H, antibodies significantly inhibits the suppressor function mediated by OKT8+ cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)