The ability of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) to inhibit the proliferation of type 2 T helper cells (TH2), but not that of type 1 (TH1) cells, suggests that helper cell subsets might differ in their activation of the IFN-gamma signaling pathway. The IFN-gamma-inducible signal transducing factor (STF-IFN gamma) was activated in murine TH2 but not in TH1 cell clones, because in the latter the second chain of the IFN-gamma receptor (accessory factor 1 or IFN-gamma R beta) was absent. Thus, TH1 cells use receptor modification to prevent the activation of STF-IFN gamma and achieve an IFN-gamma-resistant state.