Two distinct types of helper T cells involved in the secondary antibody response: independent and synergistic effects of Ia- and Ia+ helper T cells

Basic strategies of the immune system in the regulation of antibody response

Three major regulatory mechanisms operating in the control of antibody response have been examined: 1. antibody feedback; 2. T cell regulation (I. regulatory interactions among T cell subsets, II. H-2 linked Ir gene control of T cell function, III. regulatory role of antigenic epitopes in T cell subsets induction); 3. idiotypic network. Analysis of the results of obtained in the lysozyme system together with available data in the literature have permitted the delineation of a model of antigen-triggered events involved in the regulation of antibody response. The basic feature of the proposed model is the integration of two major specific communication systems among lymphocytes engaged in the antibody response: antigen bridge and idiotypic complementarity.

In vivo or in vitro treatments with anti-I-J alloantisera abolish immunity to AKR leukemia

This paper provides evidence for the involvement of immune mechanisms in conferring resistance to a spontaneous AKR leukemia. It is shown that genes in the B, J, or E subregions of the H-2 complex confer resistance to a spontaneously arisen, tissue culture-adapted AKR thymoma, BW5147. A direct correlation is demonstrated between survival to injected BW5147 cells and humoral responsiveness in various hybrids obtained from crosses of AKR mice and C57BL/10 or C3H/DiSn derived congeneic strains differing at H-2. Cellular immunity appears to play no role in resistance to the proliferation of tumor cells. It is further established that development of effective humoral immunity depends on B cells and Ly-1+, 2-, 3- helper T-cells bearing the I-Jk phenotype. These findings seem directly applicable to the spontaneous disease, and results of studies using transformed cells from an overtly leukemic AKR mouse parallel those obtained using BW1547 cells.

Major histocompatibility gene complex (MHC)-coded determinants on antigen-specific suppressor factor for delayed-type hypersensitivity and surface phenotypes of cells producing the factor

Antigen-specific suppressor factor for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was obtained by incubating in vitro spleen cells from CBA mice (H-2k) injected intravenously 3 days previously with 1 x 10(9) SRBC. The suppressor factor was characterized for major histocompatibility gene complex (MHC)-coded antigenic determinants by passing the factor through immunosorbents coupled with appropriate alloantisera. The suppressor factor was absorbed by anti-H-2k, anti-Iak and anti-I-Jk immunosorbents but was not retained by anti-Ias, anti-I-Js, anti-I-Ak, anti-I-E/Ck or anti-H-2Kk immunosorbents. In addition, the factor bound to an immunosorbent coupled with rabbit antibodies against carbohydrate-defined Ia antigens. Furthermore, the suppressive activity that was absorbed was quantitatively recovered in the acid eluates from the immunosorbents. Treatment of the spleen cells with anti-Lyt-1.1 antiserum and complement completely abrogated their ability to elaborate the suppressor factor in vitro. In contrast, treatment with anti-Lyt-2.1 or anti-Iak antiserum and complement had no effect. Thus, it appears that the suppressor factor for DTH to SRBC bears I-J subregion-coded determinants, and its production is dependent on cells which have the Lyt-1+,2- and Ia- phenotype.

Cell cooperation during in vivo anti-hapten antibody responses. V. Two synergistic Ly-1+23- helper T cells with distinctive specificities

Experiments were carried out to determine the antigen specificity of two distinct helper T cells (Th) that act synergistically in adoptive secondary in vivo anti-hapten antibody responses. Both Th were present in anti-Ly-2 and-complement-treated spleen T cell populations, implying that both Th are Ly-1+,23-. Adding normal T cells or T cells primed to other carriers to specific carrier-primed T cells, using a variety of different protocols did not affect the helper activity of the specifically primed Th. Thus, both Th apparently are antigen-specific. Furthermore, Th primed with one carrier and boosted with that carrier plus hapten linked to a noncross-reactive carrier cannot help B cells. However, if a mixture of Ly-1 T cells from mice primed with two different carriers is transferred along with B cells, and the mice are boosted with hapten coupled to one of the two priming carriers, then giving the other carrier induces a significant increase in antibody production. Thus, only one of the two Th (Th1) requires a hapten-carrier bridge, while the other does not (Th2). However, both Th1 and Th2 are clearly antigen-specific and require stimulation with antigen to exert helper activity. Furthermore, these experiments strongly suggest that Th2 cannot express helper function in vivo in the absence of Th1. These findings, and the absence of Th2-like cells in agammaglobulinemic mice, were correlated with other studies in which two helper activities have been described. It was concluded that in vivo responses require an effective Th1-B cell interaction, whereas Th2, if stimulated with antigen, will augment certain portions of the antibody response, such as idiotype or allotype, and thus influence the quality of the antibody response directly.

Genetic regulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to poly(LTyr,LGlu)-poly(DLAla)--poly(LLys). II. Evidence for a T-T-cell collaboration in delayed-type hypersensitivity responses and for a T-cell defect at the efferent phase in nonresponder H-2k mice

The intercellular interactions and the site of the genetic defect in delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to poly(LTyr,LGlu)-poly(DLAla)--poly(LLys) [(T,G)-A--L] has been studied in a system where the T-cell education phase was separated from the efferent phase. In the cellular response, T-T-cell collaboration is required, because T cell-depleted mice were unable to manifest DTH responses after they were transferred with educated and irradiated T cells. Reconstitution of adult thymectomized mice that were irradiated and supplemented with bone marrow cells after treatment with anti-Thy-1.2 serum and complement, with T cells but not with accessory cells gave rise to significant responses. Educated, radioresistant cells required the presence of normal radiosensitive T cells for successful DTH responses to (T,G)-A--L. The genetic defect of nonresponder H-2k and H-2a mice has been located in the above-mentioned, second T-cell population that participates in the efferent phase of this immune reaction. Further characterization revealed that the educated cells are of the Lyt1+ phenotype and that the second normal T cells are expressing the Lyt 1+,2+,3+ phenotype. Thus, the genetic defect of H-2k and H-2a mice in the DTH response to (T,G)-A--L is expressed on the non-antigen-stimulated Lyt 1+,2+,3+ T cells.

Cellular consequences in the suppression of antibody response by the antigen-specific T-cell factor

Cellular events mediated by antigen-specific soluble factor extracted from carrier-primed suppressor T cells (TsF) in the suppressive interaction was studied. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-specific TsF directly acts on KLH-primed, I-J positive, nylon-wool-adherent T cells that have an acceptor site for TsF. The nylon-wool-adherent T cells, after accepting TsF in the presence of specific antigen, generate new suppressor T cells acting as an actual effector cell type. Antigen-specificity and syngeneity at I-J between TsF and acceptor T cells are both required for the induction of new suppressor T cells. Newly induced suppressor T cells, however, suppress both syngeneic and allogeneic responses in an antigen-nonspecific fashion.

Biologic effects of microwave exposure. II. Studies on the mechanisms controlling susceptibility to microwave-induced increases in complement receptor-positive spleen cells

In attempting to evaluate the mechanisms responsible for susceptibility to the inductive increase in splenic complement receptor-positive (CR+) cells following exposure to 2450-MHz microwaves, it was found that sensitivity to microwave-induced CR+ cell increases was under genetic control. In particular, evidence was accumulated suggesting that regulation was under the control of a gene or genes closely associated with but outside of the mouse major histocompatibility complex (H-2). All responsive strains of mice tested were of the H-2k haplotype, while mice of the H-2a, H-2b, H-2d and H-1i5 haplotypes were refractory to the microwave-induced increases in CR+ cells. By utilizing certain H-2k strains of mice that were genetically unable to respond to endotoxin, we were able to show that these strains of mice responded to microwaves, but not to endotoxin, by increasing CR+ cells. Microwave-induced increases in CR+ cells were not mimicked by the intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone. Athymic mice responded to microwave exposure, indicating that this event was not regulated by the T-cell population. Mice less than eight weeks old were found not to be susceptible to exposure to 2450-MHz microwaves. These studies indicate that microwaves do induce changes in the population of cells with specific cell-surface receptors, that susceptibility to these changes is under genetic control, and that it is unlikely that endotoxin, corticosteroids, or regulatory T cells play a significant role in the mechanisms regulating these increases.

Generation of cytolytic T lymphocytes in vitro. XI. Accessory cell requirement in secondary responses to particulate alloantigen

The non-T accessory cell requirement for cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) generation in vitro was studied in a system which makes use of particulate membrane preparations as a source of alloantigen, and spleen cells from alloimmune mice as a source of responding cells. It is shown that removal of nylon-adherent cells from the responding cell population strongly reduced CTL generation, whereas direct removal of Ig+, phagocytic or plastic-adherent cells had no effect. The CTL response of the nylon-nonadherent cell population could be reconstituted by the addition of normal spleen cells, which by themselves do not generate CTL in response to particulate alloantigen. The accessory cell function of normal spleen cells was not affected by depletion of T cells or of phagocytic cells, but was sensitive to gamma-irradiation (1000 rd). The system thus demonstrates the requirement for a nylon-adherent accessory cell population in the secondary CTL response to particulate alloantigens which does not exhibit the typical characteristics of T cells, B cells or macrophages.

The genetic and cellular basis of regulation of the immune response to tumor antigens

In this chapter I have dealt with the cellular and genetic basis of regulation of the immune response to tumor antigen. I have knowingly omitted discussion of effectors such as ADCC, NK, and B cells, since my own experience with such effectors relates primarily to early events associated with small-tumor inocula (Greenberg and Greene, 1976). In that model, NK and ADCC mechanisms, in which natural antibody and macrophages participate, are of importance and T cells are not. In the studies I have dealt with herein, more advanced tumor models have been evaluated. It is clear, I hope, from this chapter that understanding the pathways to immune-cell or Ts activation will provide the basis for applied immunotherapy techniques in the future.

An immunologic network

The immune system is a complex network of molecules and cells specifically connected by the complementarity of receptors for antigen and receptors for receptors. The network includes multiple positive- and negative-feedback loops, which modulate the type, magnitude, and duration of responses. The great challenge is to devise ways to manipulate the system specifically to induce effective autoimmunity to cancer, to prevent allograft rejection, and to turn off undesirable responses in allergies and autoimmune diseases. Recognition of the immune system as a network helps to explain why these objectives are so difficult and why manipulation of multiple components to achieve desired regulation may be required. But presumably manipulation must be focused on connectivity between receptor for epitope and receptor for receptor to achieve a high degree of specific regulation.

Participation of suppressor T cells in the immunosuppressive activity of a heteroantiserum to human Ia-like antigens (p23,30)

We studied the effects of an antiserum to human Ia-like antigens (p23,30) upon the polyclonal activation of normal B cells (cultured with various combination of irradiated and unirradiated T cells) to become immunoglobulin-secreting cells after stimulation with pokeweed mitogen in vitro. We found that the antiserum suppressed immunoglobulin production. The inhibitory effect did not appear to result from a simple interaction at the B-cell/monocyte level alone. Rather, the inhibitory effect required the presence of a radiosensitive subset of autologous suppressor T cells.

The collaboration of T-cell subsets in the mitogenic stimulation of purified B-cell subpopulations

A highly purified preparation of mouse B cells showed greatly decreased incorporation of [6-3H]-thymidine when stimulated with pokeweed Pa-1 mitogen or bacterial lipopolysaccharide compared with mouse splenic lymphocytes. This decreased stimulation was restored by the addition of purified T cells, but not macrophages. Nylon-adherent T cells exerted this helper activity only toward complement receptor-positive B cells (CR+B cells). whereas the helper activity of nylon-non-adherent T cells was effective only on complement receptor-negative B cells (CR-B cells). Since the helper activity of nylon-adherent T cells was completely abolished by the treatment with anti-Ia antiserum and complement but that of nylon-non-adherent T cells was not, it was assumed that Ia+T cells were helper cells for CR+B cells and Ia-T cells helper cells for CR-B cells. Moreover, these helper activities of both T-cell subsets were mediated by soluble factors, which were effective just before the onset of DNA synthesis of the corresponding B-cell subpopulations.

Mice whose B cells cannot produce the T15 idiotype also lack an antigen-specific helper T cell required for T15 expression

The X-linked CBA/N defect in B cell function precludes an antibody response to phosphorylcholine (PC). Accordingly, (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 male mice are unresponsive to PC and lack circulating immunoglobulin bearing the T15 idiotype characteristic of BALB/C anti-PC antibody. In contrast, (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 female mice respond to PC and greater than 80% of the anti-PC antibody is T15+. No T-cell abnormalities are known to be associated with the CBA/N mutation. These experiments compared the ability of helper T cells from either (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 male (T15-) or F1 female (T15+) mice to help F1 female B cells respond to PC and to influence the level of T15 expression. The results indicate that although F1 male T cells collaborated with F1 female B cells just as efficiently as F1 female T cells for the total anti-PC response, the percentage of T15 expression induced by F1 male T cells fell dramatically. The (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 male thus appear to lack a helper T-cell subset required for dominant idiotype production. This helper T cell defect could be repaired by adding F1 female T cells primed to a second carrier to F1 male T cells and restimulating the cell mixture with PC coupled to the antigen used to prime the F1 male cells plus free second carrier. This result implies that conventional helper T cells derived from the F1 male donor can collaborate with a distinct helper T-cell subset from the F1 female donor which recognizes both carrier and idiotype to induce an anti-PC antibody response dominated by the T15 clonotype.

Functional analysis of T cells expressing Ia antigens. I. Demonstration of helper T-cell heterogeneity

We have examined the expression of I-region antigens on functional subpopulations of murine T cells. A.TH anti-A.TL (anti-Ik, Sk, Gk) alloantiserum was raised by immunization of recipients with concanavalin A (Con A) stimulated thymic and peripheral T-cell blasts. In contrast to similar antisera made by conventional methods, the anti-Ia blast serum was highly cytotoxic for purified T lymphocytes. Moreover, it reacted in a specific fashion with T cells having particular functions. Treatment of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-primed B10.A (H-2 alpha) T cells with this antiserum plus complement resulted in the elimination of helper activity for B-cell responses to trinitrophenyl-KLH. Inhibition was shown to be a result of the selective killing of one type of helper T cell whose activity could be replaced by a factor(s) found in the supernate of Con A-activated spleen cells. A second type of helper cell required for responses to protein-bound antigens appeared to be Ia-. By absorption and analysis on H-2 recombinants, at least two specificities were detectable on helper T cells; one mapping in the I-A subregion and a second in a region(s) to the right of I-J. In addition, the helper T cell(s) involved in the generation of alloreactive cytotoxic lymphocytes was shown to be Ia+, whereas cytotoxic effector cells and their precursors were Ia- with this antiserum. These results provide strong evidence for the selective expression of I-region determinants on T-cell subsets and suggest that T-cell-associated Ia antigens may play an important role in T-lymphocyte function.

The requirement for the expression of previously unexpressed genes in the generation of T and B antigen-binding cells and the changes in sIg isotype following in vitro immunization

The generation of antigen-binding cells (ABC) and plaque-forming cells (PFC) specific for sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) in a primary in vitro response was inhibited by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BUdR) present in cultures during the 24 h period immediately preceding harvest. ABC and PFC numbers were greatly reduced by BUdR at a concentration that did not significantly affect cell viability, cell recovery, or the synthesis of total DNA, RNA, or protein, but was sufficient to inhibit the expression of previously unexpressed genes.

The effect of BUdR on ABC was seen no earlier than day 3. It lasted through day 6, with maximum inhibition (80–90%) occurring in the day 3–4 interval, coincident with the peak of the ABC response. PFC were inhibited from day 3 to day 5 (the peak of the PFC response), after which time their sensitivity to BUdR was abruptly lost. ABC were inhibited on days 4, 5, and 6, by as little as 0.5 μg/ml, while on any day, PFC were insensitive to concentrations of BUdR below 2.5 μg/ml. A ten-fold molar excess of thymidine blocked the inhibitory effect of the drug.

Though maximum inhibition of both T and B ABC numbers by BUdR occurred on day 4, its effect on B cells was greater. BUdR had no effect on the numbers of T and B non-antigen-binding cells.

BUdR did not preferentially inhibit surface IgM (sIgM)-bearing ABC though it did prevent the appearance of sIgG receptors on ABC, which normally occurred by day 3, and the loss of sIgD receptors on ABC which was normally complete by day 4. Thus, BUdR decreased the expression of receptors on T ABC as well as B ABC, and prevented the shift in the surface Ig isotypes on B ABC that normally accompanied antigen-driven differentiation.

Ability of antigen-specific helper cells to effect a class-restricted increase in total Ig-secreting cells in spleens after immunization with the antigen

Immunization with antigens stimulates not only B lymphocytes secreting specific antibody but, in addition, results in the generation of very large numbers of splenic Ig-secreting cells which lack specificity for that antigen. The present report examined the nature of the antigens capable of eliciting this effect and the mechanisms whereby B cells could be nonspecifically activated. It is shown that the ability of T-dependent, but not T-independent antigens, to induce such increases requires the participation of T helper cells specific for the antigen so that any one antigen results in the activation of only a proportion of total B cells. Analysis of this nonspecific plaque-forming-cell response reveals that B cell activation is not random but occurs in a class-restricted manner. The magnitude of the increase and the isotype produced are shown to be characteristic of the immunizing antigen. Based on the data presented, the apparent nonspecific T-B collaboration can best be explained by invoking a second Ig-specific helper mechanism in which helper cells capable of recognizing determinants on Ig molecules, e.g. isotype or idiotype, cause the stimulation of B cells of any specificity providing they express that determinant.

Serological analysis of antigen-specific helper factors specific for poly-L(Tyr, Glu)-poly-DLAla--poly-LLys [(T, G)-A--L] and L Glu60-LAla30-LTyr10 (GAT)

In vitro prepared antigen-specific helper factors reactive to the synthetic polypeptide antigens poly-L(Tyr, Glu)-poly-DLAla--poly-LLys [(T, G)-A--L] or LGlu60-LAla30-LTyr10 (GAT) and bearing Ia determinants were analyzed serologically to determine the nature of the Ia determinants they expressed. I subregion-specific mouse anti-Ia antisera were used, and showed that (T, G)-A--L-specific helper factor (HF) contains I-A subregion-controlled determinants, whereas GAT-specific HF carries I-J subregion-controlled antigens. This unexptected finding was confirmed in both the H-2k and H-2 b haplotypes, using a variety of anti-I-J antisera. Rabbit anti-Ia antisera also reacted with both HF which raised the possibility that the Ia determinants on HF may be carbohydrate in nature. The fact that HF has a low molecular weight and yet contains Ia determinants, antigen-binding capacity and idiotypic markers is compatible with this interpretation.

Capacity to interact with T-cell replacing factor correlates with acquisition by B cells of murine differentiation antigen-1

The objective of this study was to determine whether certain membrane markers on B cells are involved with receipt of a T-cell helper signal. The helper factor, derived from an allogeneic supernatant, is antigen non-specific, non-Ia bearing and, thus, akin to T-cell replacing factor (TRF). The markers are murine differentiation antigens (MDAs) that are detected by two types of isogeneic lymphocyte culture (ILC). In Type 1 ILC replication of neonatal thymic cells is caused by MDA-1 and MDA-2 whereas in Type 2 ILC blastogenesis of adult lymph node T cells is triggered by MDA-2. Bone marrow (BM) cells, known to lack both MDAs, were used to reconstitute X-irradiated CBA/J mice and cells that homed to the spleen were examined by ILC at intervals to determine when the markers arose. In addition, purified splenic B cells from the reconstituted mice were exposed in vitro to sheep erythrocytes and TRF to determine their imimmunological capacity. Spleen cells obtained from mice 12 weeks after reconstitution with BM cells were shown to have acquired MDA-1 and to have the capacity, following interaction with TRF, to produce the maximum number of cells synthesizing IgM and IgG antibodies to SRBC. Spleen cells examined 5–6 weeks following reconstitution expressed MDA-2 but were unresponsive to TRF. BM-derived cells matured earlier in the presence of splenic T cells; they expressed MDA-1 and were able to interact with TRF at 5–6 weeks. On the other hand, BM-derived cells that acquired MDA-2 at an earlier, 2 week interval still remained unable to interact with TRF. These correlations of marker appearances with cellular function suggest MDA-1 may be a receptor for TRF.

Specificity and function of a human autologous reactive T cell

Normal human peripheral blood contains a population of T cells (autologous reactive cells [ARC]) capable of proliferating in response to signals from autologous B cells and monocytes. Selective suicide of proliferating ARC with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine and light demonstrated that this ARC was responsive to signals coded for by genes more closely linked to the HLA-DR, than to the HLA-A, or HLA-B, loci. Density-gradient fractionation of T cells indicated that populations enriched in ARC reactivity were also enriched for helper influences required for Ig synthesis by autologous B cells. In contrast, populations negatively selected for proliferating ARC were deficient in helper activity. These studies indicate that the ARC is responsive, at least in part, to products of genes closely linked to the HLA-DR locus and can function as a helper cell.

Inhibition of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in man by distinct suppressor cell systems

Studies were designed to investigate whether the suppressor cell systems that regulate the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses belong to the same subsets of T cells or different subsets. Mitogen-activated suppressor cells were simultaneously assayed for their ability to inhibit (a) pokeweed mitogen-induced generation of plasma cells, (b) blastogenic response of lymphocytes to allogeneic cells, and (c) generation of killer cells in the cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity assay. We found that suppressor cells that inhibited the generation of plasma cells were activated by concanavalin A (Con A) and were both radiation and prednisone sensitive. Suppressors that inhibited the blastogenic response in lymphocytes to allogenic cells were also activated by Con A but differed in that they were both radiation and prednisone resistant. In contrast, suppressors that inhibited the generation of the killer cells were activated with phytohemagglutinin and not Con A. These suppressors were prednisone and radiation resistant. These observations cannot be explained by differences at the pro-suppressor or suppressor activator levels as both T cell subsets are radiosensitive. Alternatively, heterogeneity of suppressor cell systems may explain these differences.

Nonspecific activation of murine lymphocytes. VI. Mediation of synergistic interaction between T and B lymphocytes by a cell-associated, reciprocally acting lymphocyte proliferation helper

The mechanism by which B and T lymphocytes interact synergistically in the proliferative response to 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) as a mitogen was investigated in cultures of C3H/St spleen cells. The interaction between these cells required physical contact between the collaborating cell types, and was not mediated by the release of a soluble factor into the culture supernate. Sonicates of spleen cells which had been activated with optimal concentrations of 2-ME for 24 h and then washed extensively, stimulated the uptake of tritiated thymidine and morphological blast transformation of fresh, unstimulated cells. This activity was found to reside within the soluble fraction of the activated cells, and to activate cells optimally at a ratio of 1 naive cell: 1 activated cell-equivalent. This reciprocally-acting lymphocyte proliferation helper (RALPH) activity was produced by B cells as well as by T cells, with a kinetic peak at 48 h of culture. RALPH activity was produced by viable but not by nonviable cells incubated with 2-ME, and was nondialyzable. It could not be induced by the B-cell mitogens lipopolysaccharide, polyinosinic-polycytidilic acid, or purified protein derivative of tuberculin, or by the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A. RALPH isolated from T cells activated B cells exclusively, while that from B cells acted predominantly upon T cells, possibly with a nonspecific effect on B cells. A model for the cellular interactions involved in the amplification of the proliferative response to 2-ME is described.

The involvement of suppressor T cells in Ir gene regulation of secondary antibody responses of primed (responder X nonresponder)F1 mice to macrophage-bound L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine

(Responder [R] X nonresponder [NR])F1 mice give indistinguishable primary in vitro plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses to either R or NR parental macrophages (Mphi) pulsed with the Ir-gene controlled antigen L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10 (GAT). However, such (R X NR)F1 mice, if primed to GAT, retained in vitro responsiveness to GAT-R-Mphi, but no longer responded to GAT-NR-Mphi. This suggested (a) a possible Mphi-related locus for Ir gene activity in this model, and (b) the occurrence of active suppression after priming with GAT leading to a selective loss of the usual primary responsiveness of (R X NR)F1 mice to GAT-NR-Mphi. This latter interpretation was tested in the current study. [Responder C57BL/6 (H-2b) X nonresponder DBA/1 (H-2q)]F1 mice were primed with 100 microgram GAT in pertussis adjuvant. 4-8 wk later, spleen cells from such mice were tested alone or mixed with normal unprimed F1 spleen cells for PFC responses to GAT-R-Mphi and GAT-NR-Mphi. The primed cells failed to respond to GAT-NR-Mphi, and moreover, actively suppressed the normal response of unprimed F1 cells to GAT-NR-Mphi. If the primed spleen cell donor had been treated with 5 mg/kg cyclophosphamide 3 days before priming or with 5-10 microliter/day of an antiserum to the I-Jb subregion [B10.A(5R) anti B10.A(3R)] during the first 4 days postpriming (both procedures known to inhibit suppressor T-cell activity), cells from such mice responded in secondary culture to both GAT-R-Mphi and also GAT-NR-MPhi. In addition, such spleen cells no longer were capable of suppressing normal F1 cells in response to GAT-NR-Mphi. Similar data were obtained using [CBA (H-2k) X DBA/1 (H-2q)]F1. Further, it was shown that (a) primary responsiveness to GAT-NR-Mphi was not an artifact of in vitro Mphi pulsing, because in vivo GAT-pulsed Mphi showed the same activity and (b) the secondary restriction for Mphi-antigen presentation was controlled by H-2 linked genes. These data suggest an important role for suppressor T cells in H-2 restricted secondary PFC responses, and also provide additional support for the hypothesis that Ir-gene controlled differences in Mphi antigen presentation are related to both suppressor cell generation and overall responsiveness in the GAT model.

Immunoregulatory circuits among T-cell sets. Identification of a subpopulation of T-helper cells that induces feedback inhibition

Purified Ly1 cells induce other T-cell sets to exert potent feedback inhibitory activity and this T-T interaction has been shown to play an important role in regulating in vivo immune responses. Approximately 2/3 of Ly1 cells also express the Qa1 surface phenotype (Ly1:Qa1+ cells). The experiments reported here indicate that Ly1:Qal+ cells are responsible for induction of feedback inhibition and that signals from both Ly1:Qal+ cells and Ly1:Qal- cells are required for optimal formation of antibody by B cells.

Enhanced syngeneic tumor destruction by in vivo inhibition of suppressor T cells using anti-I-J alloantiserum

The cellular response to a methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma S1509a has been investigated. Histologic analysis of the in vivo response to S1509a included a study of tumor development in nonimmune, tumor immune, or hyerimmune syngeneic mice, as well as in nonimmune animals treated with antiserum produced to interact solely with determinants encoded by the I-J subregion of the H-2 major histocompatibility complex. Tumors from immune or hyperimmune mice showed marked infiltration by mononuclear and, to a lesser extent, polymorphonuclear cells, with marked tumor cell necrosis. Anti-I-J treated mice displayed similar but quantitatively reduced leukocytic infiltrates and less evidence of tumor cell degeneration. Untreated nonimmune mice, on the other hand, revealed only mild leukocytic infiltration with little or no necrosis of the tumor. Thus, the administration of anti-I-J antiserum, which has been shown to diminish suppressor cell activity, is associated with increased leukocytic infiltration and enhanced syngeneic tumor destruction in vivo in the nonimmune host.

Cytotoxic T-cell responses in mice infected with influenza and vaccinia viruses vary in magnitude with H-2 genotype

Secondary effector T-cell populations generated by cross-priming with heterologous influenza A viruses operate only in H-2K or H-2D compatible situations, when assayed on SV40-transformed target cells infected with a range of influenza A viruses. The H2-Kb allele is associated with a total failure in the generation of influenza-immune cytotoxic T cells, though this is not seen for the primary response to vaccinia virus. In both influenza and vaccinia development of effector T cells operating at H-2Db is greatly depressed in B10.A(2R) (kkkddb) and B10.A(4R) (kkbbbb), but not in B10 (bbbbbb), mice. However, there is no defect in viral antigen expression at either H-2Kk or H-2Db in B10.A(2R) target cells. This apparently reflects some inadequacy in the stimulator environment, as (A/J X B6) F1 T cells can be induced to respond at H-2Db when exposed to vaccinia virus in an irradiated B6 but not in a B10.A(4R) recipient. The present report, together with the accompanying paper by Zinkernagel and colleagues, records the first rigorous demonstration of both a nonresponder situation and a probable Ir-gene effect for conventional infectious viruses. Possible implications for the evolution of H-2 polymorphism and mechanisms of Ir gene function are discussed.

Effect of idiotype-specific suppressor T cells on primary and secondary responses

Previous reports have shown that suppression of idiotype can be adoptively transferred by T cells, or by rosettes containing T cells with anti-idiotypic receptors, from an idiotypically suppressed, syngeneic mouse. The present data indicate that secondary B cells are highly resistant to such suppression. Priming recipients to the relevant hapten, p-azophenylarsonate, 6 days or 4 mo before the adoptive transfer prevented suppression. This was independent of the carrier used for the hapten group during priming or subsequent immunization, suggesting that resistance to suppression is attributable to secondary cells with specificity for the hapten. The effect of suppressor T cells could also be overcome by mixing them with specifically purified B cells having receptors for the hapten group before the adoptive transfer. Adoptive transfer of the suppressed state by specifically purified B cells from suppressed, hyperimmunized animals confirmed our previous finding that the suppression of idiotype can also be caused by B cells lacking idiotypic receptors, evidently through a mechanism involving clonal dominance. Possible mechanisms of idiotypic suppression by T cells are discussed.