In T-cells, HTS triggers a signaling pathway that includes increased tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins and activation of MAPK p38. HTS alone does not result in IL-2 mRNA transcription, IL-2 expression, or T-cell proliferation. However, in combination with other stimuli, HTS augments T-cell IL-2 expression and proliferation. We speculate that HTS could "resuscitate" suppressed T-cells in trauma patients by circumvention of, or substituting for, blocked signaling pathways.