An approach to the unification of suppressor T cell circuits: a simplified assay for the induction of suppression by T cell-derived, antigen-binding molecules (T-ABM)

Cell Immunol. 1989 Jan;118(1):30-40. doi: 10.1016/0008-8749(89)90355-9.

Abstract

A system is presented in which the in vitro response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) can be regulated using antigenic determinants coupled to SRBC and T cell-derived antigen-binding molecules (T-ABM) directed against the coupled determinants. T suppressor-inducer factors (TsiF's) are composed of two molecules, one of which is a T-ABM and one which bears I-J determinants (I-J+ molecule). Using two purified T-ABM which have not previously been shown to have in vitro activity, we produced antigen-specific TsiF's which were capable of inducing the suppression of the anti-SRBC response. Suppression was found to require both the T-ABM and the I-J+ molecule, SRBC conjugated with the antigen for which the T-ABM was specific, and a population of Ly-2+ T cells in the culture. Two monoclonal TsiF (or TsF1) were demonstrated to induce suppression of the anti-SRBC response in this system, provided the relevant antigen was coupled to the SRBC in culture. The results are discussed in terms of the general functions of T-ABM in the immune system. This model will be useful in direct, experimental comparisons of the function of T-ABM and suppressor T cell factors under study in different systems and laboratories.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism
  • Erythrocytes / immunology
  • Hybridomas / immunology
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL / immunology
  • Protein Binding
  • Sheep
  • Suppressor Factors, Immunologic / immunology*
  • Suppressor Factors, Immunologic / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Suppressor Factors, Immunologic