Human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIG) modifies the course of numerous immune-mediated diseases, but its specific mode of action remains unknown. In order to delineate possible immunoregulatory mechanisms, we studied the effects of hIVIG on the in vitro proliferation of human T cells. Cells from normal donors were stimulated with anti-CD3 antibody, tetanus toxoid antigen or the combination of a phorbol ester/ionomycin (P/I) and incubated with increasing concentrations of hIVIG (1 mg/ml to 10 mg/ml) for three to seven days. Addition of hIVIG inhibited anti-CD3 and tetanus but not P/I-induced proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of exogenous IL-2 to the cultures overcame the inhibitory effect of hIVIG; addition of IL-4 was ineffective. To further define the effect of hIVIG on specific cell populations, competent, purified T cells were stimulated with anti-CD3 or phorbol ester for three days in the presence of hIVIG. Addition of hIVIG blocked anti-CD3 and phorbol ester-induced stimulation of competent T cells. In cultures of competent T cells, either IL-2 or IL-4 was successful in reversing the hIVIG-induced inhibition. In these cultures, hIVIG also significantly prevented the synthesis/secretion of both IL-2 and IL-4 in PDB-stimulated competent T cells. Taken together, these data suggest that one mechanism of action of hIVIG may be through its interference with cytokine-dependent T-cell proliferation.