T-lymphocyte heterogeneity in rat: role of adherent T-cell subpopulation in the regulation of cytotoxic T-cell response to alloantigens

Based on the property of adherence to glass bead columns, we have separated two populations of spleen cells from alloantigen-primed rats that interact synergistically in generation of secondary in vitro CML response. Further analysis of these populations reveals that the adherent cell fraction contains a radioresistant (2500 rad) T helper population (Th1) that enhances the CTL response to alloantigens, a macrophage-type suppressor cell (Møs), and a radio-sensitive suppressor component of yet undetermined nature. The nonadherent cell fraction contains precursors of CTLs and a helper T cell (Th2) that helps in the generation of a T-dependent antibody response to SRBC.