T cell recognition in the mixed lymphocyte response. I. Non-T, radiation-resistant splenic adherent cells are the predominant stimulators in the murine mixed lymphocyte reaction

The ability of subpopulations of murine spleen cells to stimulate a mixed lymphocyte response (MLR) was studied. It was found that T cells (nylon-nonadherent spleen cells) and B cells [G-10 passed and treated with rabbit anti-mouse brain serum (RAMB) and complement (C)] were poor stimulators of an MLR. In contrast, whole spleen cells or B cells plus adherent cells (RAMB +C-treated spleen cells) produced good stimulation. However, a non-T, radiation-resistant splenic adherent cell (SAC) population was up to 20 to 50 times more efficient as a stimulator of an MLR on a per cell basis than an unseparated spleen population. These SAC were shown to express Ia determinants encoded by genes in I-A and I-E/C. These results suggest that Ia+ SAC may be the predominant stimulating cells in spleen cell populations, and the preferential target for T cell recognition in cell interaction events.

Cellular and genetic control of antibody responses. V. Helper T-cell recognition of H-2 determinants on accessory cells but not B cells

Requirements for helper T-cell recognition of H-2 determinants expressed on adherent accessory cells and on B cells was individually assessed in the anti-hapten PFC responses to TNP-KLH. Complicating allogeneic effects were minimized or avoided by the use of helper T cells from normal F1 hybrids, parent leads to F1 chimeras, and F1 leads to parent chimeras. The results of both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that: (a) helper T cells are not required to recognize the identical H-2 determinants on both accessory cells and B cells; (b) helper T cells are required to recognize K or I-A region-encoded determinants expressed on accessory cells; (c) no requirement was observed in vitro or in vivo for helper T-cell recognition of B-cell-expressed H-2 determinants; and (d) no requirement was observed for H-2 homology between accessory cells and B cells. The absence of required helper T-cell recognition of the identical H-2 determinants on both accessory cells and B cells was demonstrated in two ways: (a) naive of KLH-primed (A x B)F1 hybrid helper T cells collaborated equally well with B cells from either parentA or parentB in the presence of accessory cells from either parent; (b) A leads to (A x B)F1 chimeric spleen cells depleted of accessory cells collaborated equally well with accessory cells from either parentA or parentB, even though the B cells only expressed the H-2 determinants of parentA. A requirement for helper T-cell recognition of K or I-A region-encoded H-2 determinants on accessory cells was also demonstrated in two ways: (a) (A x B)F1 leads to parentA chimeric spleen cells depleted of accessory cells collaborated with accessory cells from parentA but not parentB; and (b) (A x B)F1 leads to parentA chimeric helper T cells collaborated with normal F1 B cells only in the presence of parental or recombinant accessory cells that expressed the K or I-A region-encoded determinants of parentA. Although restricted in their ability to recognize H-2 determinants on accessory cells, it was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo that (A x B)F1 leads to parentA chimeric helper T cells were able to collaborate with B cells from either parentA or parentB. In vitro in the presence of accessory cells from parentA, (A x B)F1 leads to parentA chimeric helper T cells collaborated equally well with B cells from either parent. In addition, the inability of (A x B)F1 leads to parentA chimeric helper T cells to collaborate with (B + accessory) cells from parentB was successfully reversed by the addition of parentA SAC as added accessory cells. In vivo, upon the addition of parentA accessory cells, (A x B)F1 leads to parentA chimeric helper T cells collaborated with parentB B cells in short-term adoptive transfer experiments.

Requirement for an Ia-bearing accessory cell in Con A-induced T cell proliferation

Pretreatment of murine lymphoid cells with anti-Ia and C abrogated the proliferative response of these cells to Con A, but not to PHA. Reconstitution experiments demonstrated that T cell-enriched populations failed to restore Con A responsiveness and that T cell-depleted populations were more effective in restoring responsiveness to Con A. In particular, a population of 1000 R resistant, glass-adherent, non-T spleen cells was capable of completely restoring responsiveness to Con A when added in numbers as low as 4% of cultured cells. These splenic adherent cells were found to express Ia determinants encoded by at least two genes: one in I-A and the other in I-B, I-J, and/or I-E/C, and it was demonstrated that determinants encoded in these two regions were expressed on the same cell. These results demonstrate that non-T accessory cells may be the Ia+ cells entirely responsible for the anti-Ia and C-induced abrogation of T cell proliferative responses to Con A.

Expression of I-Subregion Encoded Antigens on Accessory Cell Populations

We have investigated the expression of Ia antigens on accessory cells which function in two murine response systems: the proliferative response to Con A and the in vitro primary antibody response to soluble TNP-conjugated protein antigens. Pretreatment of murine lymphoid cells with anti-Ia and complement (C) abrogated their ability to respond to Con A. Reconstruction experiments have shown that glass adherent spleen cells treated with a T cell-specific rabbit anti-mouse brain serum and C and irradiated with 1000R (spleen-adherent cells, SAC) were able to restore responsiveness to Con A. In a second assay system, T cell-dependent IgM responses of normal spleen cells to soluble TNP-conjugated protein antigens were abrogated by Sephadex G-10 passage. Responses in this system were similarly reconstituted by the addition of non-T, non-B, radioresistant SAC as accessory cells.

Genetic analysis of Ia determinants expressed on Con A-reactive cells

Pretreatment of mouse lymphoid cells with anti-Ia sera and C abrogated the proliferative responses of these cells to Con A. Studies were carried out with several anti-Ia reagents and intra-H-2 recombinant mouse strains to map the I subregion(s) whose products are expressed on Con A-reactive cells. Treatment with a (B10.A X A)F1 anti-B10 reagent and C abrogated the ability of BALB/c cells to respond to Con A. Absorption studies on this reagent demonstrated that Con A-reactive cells express Ia determinants coded by the I-A subregion. The results with two additional reagents, B10.A(4R) anti-B10.A(2R) tested on B10.BR cells and (B10 X D2.GD)F1 anti-B10.D2 absorbed with B10.A cells and tested on BALB/c cells, demonstrated that Con A-reactive cells also express Ia determinants encoded to the right of I-A. Several antisera and strain combinations were evaluated in which the antisera could contain antibodies specific for products of genes encoded by the I-J subregion, but the results were inconclusive. These data demonstrate that there are at least two different I subregions, one in I-A and one to the right of I-A, that code for antigens expressed on Con A-reactive cells.

Cellular and genetic control of antibody responses in vitro. III. Immune response gene regulation of accessory cell function

The possibility was investigated that Ir genes regulate the function of cells other than T or B cells in the primary IgM responses to the synthetic antigens trinitrophenylated poly-L-(Tyr,Glu)-poly-D,L-Ala--poly-L-Lys [TNP-(T,G)-A--L]and trinitrophenylated poly-,-(His,Glu)-poly-D, L-Ala--poly-L-Lys [TNP-(H,G)-A--L]. The primary responses of (B10 x B10.A)F(1) spleen cells to both antigens were abrogated by Sephadex G-10 passage, and restored by the addition of spleen adherent cells. The cell type in the spleen adherent cell population active in reconstituting the responses to TNP-(T,G)-A--L and TNP-(H,G)-A--L was a non-T, non-B, radiation-resistant, glass-adherent spleen cell. The responses of Sephadex G-10-passed (responder x nonresponder)F(1) spleen cells to TNP-(T,G)-A--L or TNP-(H,G)-A--L were reconstituted by spleen adherent cells from only responder strains. Spleen adherent cells from F(1) mice reconstituted the responses to both antigens. Spleen adherent cells from each of the strains tested reconstituted the non- Ir gene-controlled response to a third antigen, TNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanin. The inability of spleen adherent cells from nonresponder strains to reconstitute the responses to either TNP-(T,G)-A--L or TNP-(H,G)-A--L was not a result of active suppression induced by the presence of nonresponder adherent cells, since a mixture of responder and nonresponder spleen adherent cells reconstituted the responses to both antigens. The use of spleen adherent cells from recombinant strains demonstrated that the autosomal dominant genes controlling the ability of spleen adherent cells to function as accessory cells in the responses to TNP-(T,G)-A--L and TNP-(H,G)-A--L are located in the K or I-A regions of the responder H-2 complex, the same region(s) of H-2 as the Ir genes controlling overall in vitro and in vivo responsiveness to these antigens.

Cellular and genetic control of antibody responses in vitro. II. Ir gene control of primary IgM responses to trinitrophenyl conjugates of poly-L-(Tyr,Glu)-poly-D,L-Ala--poly-L-Lys and poly-L-(His,Glu)-poly-D,L-Ala--poly-L-Lys

The in vitro primary IgM anti-hapten responses to trinitrophenyl (TNP) conjugates of poly-L-(Tyr,Glu)-poly-D,L-Ala-poly-L-Lys (T,G)-A--L and poly-L(His,Glu)-poly-D,L-Ala--poly-L-Lys (H,G)-A--L were shown to be T-cell dependent and under autosomal dominant H-2-linked Ir gene control which mapped within the K or I-A regions of the H-2 complex. The in vitro response to TNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanin, while T-dependent, was not under demonstrable genetic control. The genes governing the in vitro primary IgM anti-hapten responses to TNP-(T,G)-A--L and TNP-(H,G)-A--L resemble the Ir genes controlling the in vivo secondary IgG responses to (T,G)-A--L and (H,G)-A--L in that they are autosomal dominant, map identically within the H-2 complex, and have identical responder and nonresponder haplotypes. It is concluded that Ir genes can govern the ability to generate an IgM response upon initial exposure to antigen.

Effect of tumor cells on the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro. I. Accessory cell functions of mouse tumor cells in the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro: replacement of adherent phagocytic cells by tumor cells or 2-mercaptoethanol

In agreement with previous reports, the primary in vitro response to alloantigens has been shown to be dependent on the presence of macrophages (Mphs). Splenocytes extensively depleted of adherent phagocytic cells did not generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and this activity could be completely restored by small numbers of adherent peritoneal cells (accessory cells). Either P388D1 (Mph-like tumor), P388 ("null" tumor) or P815 (mastocytoma) tumor cells, or 2-mercaptoethanol, could completely replace the accessory function normally mediated by accessory cells. These tumor cells did not non-specifically "enhance" the cytotoxic activity generated with normal nondepleted spleen cells. The restored cultures maintained killing specificity to H-2 targets which was mediated by effector T cells as shown by sensitivity to anti-theta and complement. Therefore, Mphs seem not to be the sole cells capable of mediating an accessory function in a primary response to alloantigens in vitro.

Regulatory mechanisms in cell-mediated immune responses. II. Comparison of culture-induced and alloantigen-induced suppressor cells in MLR and CML

Two antigen-nonspecific T cell-dependent suppressor systems were compared for their effects upon CML and MLR. Suppressor cells generated by an in vitro culture of spleen cells were compared with suppressor cells generated by in vivo priming with alloantigen. Culture-induced suppressor cells were themselves unable to respond in CML or MLR; were able to suppress actively the CML and MLR responses of untreated responding cells; were mitomycin-sensitive; and, produced no easily demonstrable suppressive supernatant. Alloantigen-primed cells were able to respond in CML and LR; could suppress proliferation in MLR, but were able to suppress CML only after mitomycin treatment; and, produced suppressive supernatants active in suppressing both CML and MLR. In addition to cataloging the differences and similarities between these suppressor populations, the data have been employed to analyze the mechanisms by which suppression occurs in CML and MLR.

Mixed lymphocyte reactivity and cell-mediated lympholysis to D-end differences of the murine major histocompatibility complex. Comparison of in vitro responses to exclusive D-end or more extensive MHC differences

In vitro mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) responses and the in vitro induction of cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) were studied in congenic strain combinations in which the responding and stimulating strains differed either at the entire major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or only at the D end of the MHC. In contrast to previously reported studies, the relative strengths of stimulation by 'D end only' differences or by whole MHC differences were examined by stimulating identical responding populations with titrated numbers of stimulating cells that differed from the responder either at the D end only or over the entire MHC. When tested in this manner isolated D-end differences were sufficient to generate significant MLC and CML responses in each combination tested. Several 'D end only' differences (the responses of B10.A to B10.A(2R); of B10.A(2R) to B10.A; of B10.D2 to B10.HTG; and of B10.HTG to B10.D2 were several fold less efficient in stimulating MLC and CML responses than were control stimulating cells differing over the whole MHC. In contrast, when the mutant D-end allele da was present on the stimulating cell (the responses of B10.D2 to B10.D2(M504) and of B10 to B10.D2(R106)), stimulation by an isolated D-end difference was comparable to stimulation by broader MHC differences. These findings are discussed in terms of the possible functional complexity of the D region.

Synergy between subpopulations of normal mouse spleen cells in the in vitro generation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity specific for "modified self" antigens

Responding lymphoid cells cultured in vitro with irradiated trinotrophenyl (TNP)-modified syngeneic spleen cells develop direct cell-mediated cytotoxicity which is specific for target cells bearing both the TNP moiety and histocompatibility determinants of the modified sensitizing cell. Two subpopulations of normal mouse spleen cells have been shown to synergize in the in vitro generation of specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity to these "modified self" antigens. The synergizing populations are nylon wool column-adherent and column-nonadherent fractions of normal mouse spleen. When mixtures of these two cell populations are cultured in vitro with irradiated TNP-modified syngeneic spleen cells, greater cytotoxicity is generated in the two populations sensitized separately. The synergizing cell in the column-adherent population is resistant to lysis by rabbit anti-mouse brain serum, is distinct from the cytotoxic effector T lymphocyte, and is unresponsive to phytohemagglutinin; its synergizing function could not be replaced by peritoneal cells. These results suggest that it is a non-T cell which may be distinct from the macrophage.

Synergy between subpopulations of mouse spleen cells in the in vitro generation of cell-mediated cytotoxicity: evidence for the involvement of a non-T cell

Two subpopulations separated from normal spleen have been shown to synergize as responding cells in the in vitro induction of specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity during the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). The synergizing populations are a nylon wool column-adherent and a nylon wool column-nonadherent fraction, enriched for B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes, respectively. When a mixture of these fractions is used as the responding cell population in MLC, greater cytotoxicity is generated than would be expected from the sum of activities generated in the two subpopulations sensitized separately. The synergy appears to occur at the sensitization rather than the effector phase. The synergizing cell which is contained in the nylon-adherent subpopulation is distinct from the cytotoxic effector T lymphocyte, is resistant to lysis by rabbit antimouse brain serum, and is unresponsive to phytohemagglutinin; its synergizing function could not be replaced by either plastic-adherent spleen cells or peritoneal exudate cells. These results suggest a role of a non-T-cell nonmacrophage population in the generation of cytotoxic activity.

Cytotoxic potential of different lymphoid cell populations against chromium-51 labelled tumour cells

Release of chromium-51 (⁵¹Cr) from pre-labelled target cells was used as an assay of cytotoxicity. Different immune and non-immune lymphoid cell populations were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity against pre-labelled tissue culture target cells (Ha 3) which originated from a tumour induced by murine sarcoma virus (MSV) in a CBA mouse. Anti-Ha 3 peritoneal exudate and spleen cells showed significant specific cytotoxicity against these target cells. This was true for cells taken from animals immunized against either strong (H-2 plus non-H-2) or weak (non-H-2) antigenic determinants on the Ha 3 cells. Exogenous complement was not required for this cytotoxic activity. Tissue culture cells derived from a methylcholanthrene-induced tumour (MBE) of CBA origin were not damaged by peritoneal exudate cells from mice immunized against non-H-2 antigens on the Ha 3 cells. Anti-Ha 3 lymph node cells were relatively ineffective in these experiments although some cytotoxic activity was detected with lymph node cells sensitized against strong antigens. Direct morphological observation confirmed the cytotoxicity of anti-Ha 3 peritoneal exudate cells measured by ⁵¹Cr release.