The effect of phorbol dibutyrate (PDB) on the cell surface antigens of the human T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, Jurkat, was studied with OKT monoclonal antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Cells were analyzed in an Ortho Spectrum III fluorescence-activated flow cytometer. The surface antigen profile of untreated Jurkat cells resembled that of thymocytes; high levels of T3, T4, T6, T8, T9, T10, and T11 antigens were detected. Although 89% of cells were positive for T11, the putative sheep erythrocyte receptor, only 12% were able to form erythrocyte (sheep) rosettes. Exposure of the cells to 1.0 microM PDB for up to 7 days resulted in a rapid loss in T4 expression and a slower decrease in T6 reactivity, while the percentage of cells positive for T3, T8, T10, and T11 remained high. T4 reappeared on the cell surface when PDB was removed by washing. T11 antigen density increased 70%, and this was accompanied by an increase in the percentage of erythrocyte-rosetting cells from 12 to 55%. These changes in cell surface antigens induced by PDB suggested differentiation to a more mature state (i.e., a precursor cytotoxic-suppressor T-lymphocyte, T3+T8+T10+T11+). However, the reversibility of the change in T4 expression indicated that T4 loss was not a manifestation of terminal differentiation but rather was consistent with a phorbol ester-induced modulation of the cell surface T4 antigen.