The α1β1 integrin, very late antigen-1 (VLA-1), is a collagen receptor expressed in many CD4 + T cells localizing to inflamed tissues. Here we show that the expression of VLA-1 is a stable marker of a distinct subset of CD4 + memory T cells. Thus, in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), approximately 1-4% of the CD4 + T cells express VLA-1, and following T cell receptor activation ex vivo, the percentage of VLA-1 + cells increases within the CD45RO + population. Importantly, the activated VLA-1 + and VLA-1 -cells can be isolated and maintained in culture as phenotypically stable subsets. Functionally, CD4 + memory T cells, operationally defined as the cells that divide rapidly following stimulation with a recall antigen, are highly enriched for VLA-1 + cells. Moreover, depletion of the small fraction of VLA-1 + cells present in CD4 + PBLs prior to stimulation significantly abrogated the proliferative response to recall antigens. Notably, the VLA-1 + cells in fresh CD4 + PBLs are composed of resting CD45RO + /RA -, CCR7 -, CD62L + , CD25 -, and VLA-4 hi cells. Interestingly, this VLA-1 + subset is enriched for Th1-type cells, and Th1-polarizing conditions during T cell activation favor the emergence of VLA-1 + cells. Thus, VLA-1 expression is a stable marker of a unique subset of human memory CD4 + T cells that predominantly differentiates into Th1 cells.