Specific inhibition of hybrid resistance in F1 hybrid mice pretreated with parent strain spleen cells. I. Induction of a nylon-adherent, Thy-1+Lyt-1+2- suppressor cell

Hybrid resistance, which is observed in certain strain combinations when parent-strain bone marrow cells are grafted into lethally irradiated F1 hybrids, can be specifically overcome by the i.v. injection, 1 wk before the graft, of spleen cells syngeneic with the bone marrow graft. This phenomenon is due to a suppressor mechanism, induced in the spleen of the F1 hybrid by the injection of parent-strain spleen cells and mediated by a nylon-adherent Thy-1+Lyt-1+2- cell population of hybrid origin, because hybrid resistance can be inhibited by the transfer into a normal B6D2F1 of nylon-adherent Thy-1+Lyt-1+2- spleen cells from B6D2F1 mice pretreated with B6 spleen cells 1 wk earlier (B6-pretreated B6D2F1); spleen cells from B6-pretreated B6D2F1 mice not depleted of their nylon-adherent subpopulation cannot restore hybrid resistance when they are injected into a B6D2F1 rendered nonresistant by split-dose irradiation; and spleen cells from normal B6D2F1 mice cannot restore hybrid resistance when they are injected into B6-pretreated B6D2F1 hybrids. The suppressor cells specifically inhibit resistance against bone marrow cells syngeneic with the spleen cells used for pretreatment, because transfer of nylon-adherent B6-pretreated B6D2F1 spleen cells into a normal B6D2F1 does not enhance syngeneic B6D2F1 or parent-strain D2 bone marrow growth, and when injected into normal B6D2F1 hybrids, nylon-adherent spleen cells from B6D2F1 mice pretreated with D2 spleen cells 1 wk earlier (D2-pretreated B6D2F1) are not able to transfer the inhibition of hybrid resistance against B6 bone marrow cells. Moreover, the activity of the suppressor cells depends on the genetic environment of the hybrid host mice, because nylon-adherent B6-pretreated B6D2F1 spleen cells injected into normal B6C3F1 hybrids do not transfer an inhibition of hybrid resistance, and when injected into B6C3F1 hosts previously rendered nonresistant by split-dose irradiation, spleen cells from B6-pretreated B6D2F1 mice can, in contrast, transfer hybrid resistance.     

Tolerance induction of allo-class II H-2 antigen-reactive L3T4+ helper T cells and prolonged survival of the corresponding class II H-2-disparate skin graft

The present study investigates the effects of i.v. presensitization with class II H-2-disparate allogeneic cells on various L3T4+ T cell functions including the capability of rejecting the corresponding allogeneic skin graft. C57BL/6 (B6) mice were i.v. presensitized with class II H-2 disparate B6-C-H-2bm12 (bm12) spleen cells. Such presensitization did not affect the bm12-specific L3T4+ T cell-mediated proliferative and interleukin 2 (IL-2)-producing capacities. A single cell suspension of (B6 x bm12)F1 spleen cells was depleted of APC by two round-passages over Sephadex G-10 columns. This APC-depleted fraction of (B6 x bm12)F1 cells failed to stimulate B6 responding cells in mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR). The addition of recombinant IL-1 to the MLR restored anti-bm12 MLR responses, indicating that APC-depleted (B6 x bm12)F1 cells bear bm12 alloantigens but are unable to stimulate B6 anti-bm12 L3T4+ T cells. A single i.v. administration of APC-depleted (B6 x bm12)F1 cells into B6 mice resulted in almost complete abrogation of the capacity of recipient B6 lymphoid cells to give anti-bm12 MLR and IL2 production. This suppression was bm12 alloantigen-specific and attributed to the elimination or functional impairment of anti-bm12 T cell clones rather than the induction of suppressor cells. The tolerance was also observed in graft-rejection responses. The strikingly prolonged survival of bm12 skin grafts was produced when grafts were implanted into B6 mice which had been presensitized with APC-depleted, but not with untreated (B6 x bm12)F1 spleen cells. These results indicate that allo-class II H-2 antigen-reactive L3T4+ T cells are rendered tolerant by i.v. presensitization with APC-depleted fraction of the corresponding allogeneic cells.     

Suppressors of the graft vs graft reaction in tolerance to alloantigens

Immune response and suppressor cell activity of CBA (H-2k) mice made tolerant to allogeneic C57B1/6 (H-2b) heart graft were studied in graft-versus-graft reaction (GvGR). Intact CBA spleen cells inhibited response of (CBA X C57B1/6)F1 cells to antigenic stimulus (sheep red blood cells--SRBC), when injected together into lethally irradiated (CBA X C57B1/6)F1 mice. Spleen cells of tolerant mice were unable to decrease immune response of (CBA X C57B1/6F1 lymphocytes to SRBC and suppressed specifically the inhibition induced by intact CBA spleen cells. Spleen cells from tolerant mice were also capable of suppressing GvGR induced by CBA lymphocytes immune to C57B1/6 cells. Pretreatment of tolerant spleen cells with rabbit antithymocyte globulin and complement before adoptive transfer diminished markedly the suppression. The results obtained in the study suggest that suppression of transplantation immunity in this model is mostly due to T suppressor cells.     

A cell population in nu/nu spleen can prevent generation of cytotoxic lymphocytes by normal spleen cells against self antigens of the nu/nu spleen.

Spleen cells from athymic nu/nu mice contain two kinds of physically separable active cells that can have very different effects on the generation of CL (cytotoxic lymphocytes) by normal LN cells in an in vitro response against allogeneic stimulator cells. They can provide an accessory cell required for the activation of CLP (cytotoxic lymphocyte precursor cells) which need not be H-2 identical to the CLP and will function normally even when H-2 identical to the stimulator cells. They can also provide a suppressor cell that prevents the activation of CLP that can recognize the H-2 of the nu/nu mouse. Thus, with A, B, and C to represent three H-2 differnt mouse strains, a culture containing CLP from strain A and nu/nu spleen cells from strain B or strain (A x B)F1 will produce CL against strain C or (A x C)F1 stimulator cells but not against strain B or strain (A x B)F1 stimulator cells unless the suppressor cell is first removed. It is proposed that the in vivo role of the suppressor cell in a normal mouse is to prevent the activation of CLP reactive against self.     

CD3- bone marrow cells augment the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes showing a preference for the X-chromosome linked gene product of stimulator cells

Responder cells, composed of both a limited number of nylon wool-passed lymph node (NW-LN) cells and an excess number of CD3+ cell-depleted bone marrow (CD3- BM) cells from the same strain of mice, were stimulated with allogeneic spleen cells in vitro. The CD3- BM cells augmented the generation of allogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) from NW-LN cells. C3H/He (H-2k, C3H background) responder cells were stimulated with either B10.D2 (H-2d, B10 background) or BALB/c (H-2d, BALB background) spleen cells. In the former stimulation, the CTL induced lysed B10.D2 target cells more efficiently than the BALB/c cells. Furthermore, these CTL lysed more (B10.D2 x BALB/c) F1 male target cells than (BALB/c x B10.D2) F1 male. In the latter stimulation, the CTL lysed more BALB/c than B10.D2 cells, and more (BALB/c) x B10.D2) F1 male than (B10.D2 x BALB/c) F1 male. The reciprocal mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) were carried out, in which BALB/c responder cells were stimulated with either C3H/He or B10.BR (H-2k, B10 background) spleen cells. In the former stimulation, the CTL induced lysed more C3H/He or (C3H/He x B10.BR) F1 male target cells than B10.BR or (B10.BR x C3H/He) F1 male, and in the latter, the reciprocal results were obtained. These results suggested that the CTL induced had a preference for the X-chromosome linked gene products (Xlgp), besides the specificity for the allogeneic MHC class I, of the mice used as stimulator.     

Primary in vitro cytotoxic response of F1 T lymphocytes against parental antigens.

Spleen cells from adult female (AKR/J x BALB/(c)F1 mice can respond to mitomycin C-treated spleen from AKR/J mice and can generate effector CTL in a 5-day primary in vitro culture. The response is comparable in magnitude to the response to allogeneic H-2K or H-2D antigens. The response is T cell mediated and is directed to antigen(s) present only on the parental cells. The target cell must be homozygous at H-2Kk to be lysed and H-2Dk antigens do not serve as a target in this response. Spleen cells from (B10.BR x B10.D2) hybrids that have been stimulated with AKR/J lyse B10.Br as well as AKR/J target cells. Similar H-2k/d hybrid F1 anti-H-2k parent responses are seen in certain other strain combinations. A number of possible interpretations of these responses are discussed.     

Specific unresponsiveness to skin allografts in anti-lymphocyte serum-treated, marrow-injected mice: participation of donor marrow-derived suppressor T cells

Sequential changes of cell-mediated immune reactivities were examined in anti-lymphocyte serum-(ALS) treated, C3H/He (C3H; H-2k) bone marrow-injected (C57BL/6 X A)F1 (B6AF1; H-2b/k.d) mice bearing enhanced C3H skin grafts. Spleen cells of these mice exhibited marked suppression of the proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A. When the spleen cells were assayed for the direct lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity against H-2k targets, their lytic activity remained low until the time of graft rejection, in contrast to the increasingly high cytotoxic activity exhibited by spleen cells of control B6AF1 mice given only ALS and C3H skin grafts. When spleen cells of marrow-injected B6AF1 mice were cultured with mitomycin-C treated C3H spleen cells, the proliferative response was significantly suppressed the throughout the course, despite the early appearance of high "secondary-type" cytotoxic activity. Co-culture experiments demonstrated the presence of C3H antigen-specific suppressor cells in the ALS-treated, marrow-injected mice bearing intact allografts. Treatment of spleen cells with anti-H-2, anti-Thy 1 and anti-I-J sera and C revealed that the suppressor cells present late in the marrow-injected mice were T cells of donor C3H bone marrow cell origin.     

Genetic restrictions in the development of antibody responses to L-glutamic acid60-L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10 by nude mice implanted with semiallogeneic thymus glands

Athymic nude mice implanted with F1 thymus glands were used to investigate genetic restrictions regulating T cell-macrophage (M phi) interactions in the development of antibody responses to GAT. Spleen cells from conventional mice developed comparable primary plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses when stimulated by syngeneic and allogeneic GAT-M phi. However, spleen cells from strain A nude mice implanted with (A X B)F1 thymus glands were tolerant of strain B alloantigens and developed GAT-specific PFC responses to strain A GAT-M phi and allogeneic strain C GAT-M phi, but failed to respond to strain B GAT-M phi. The lack of primary GAT-specific PFC responses by spleen cells from (A X B)thy----A nude mice stimulated by strain B GAT-M phi was not due to detectable suppressor mechanisms. However, an allogeneic effect stimulated by H-2- or non-H-2-disparate GAT-pulsed or unpulsed M phi was able to overcome the inability of spleen cells from (A X B)F1 thy----A nude mice to respond to strain B GAT-M phi. Furthermore, the inability to respond to strain B GAT-M phi was overcome by the addition of supernatant fluids from independent cultures of H-2-disparate cells. These results 1) demonstrate that T cells from A nude mice implanted with (A X B)F1 thymus glands did not recognize nominal antigen in the context of B MHC antigens, and 2) suggested that the T cell repertoire was altered in strain A nude mice implanted with (A X B)F1 thymus glands, such that T cells that could recognize GAT in association with strain B MHC antigens were functionally deleted.     

Strain difference in the radiosensitivity of immunocompetent cells and its influence on the residual host-vs-graft reaction in lethally irradiated mice grafted with semiallogeneic bone marrow

A striking difference in radiosensitivity was noted between C3H/He (H-2k) and C57BL/6J (H-2b) strain mice when assessed by primary anti-SRBC PFC response of intact animals and primary cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) response of spleen cells to allogeneic cells in vitro, the C3H strain being more radioresistant. On the other hand, when C3H and B6 mice were exposed to 6.62 to 10.40 grays (Gy) of x-rays and then were transplanted with 2 X 10(6) bone marrow cells from B6C3F1 (H-2b/k) donor mice within 3 hr or at 24 hr after radiation exposure, the early mortality caused by residual host-vs-graft (HVG) reaction was much higher when C3H mice were used as recipients. Furthermore, the proportion of surviving animals manifesting host-type lymphohemopoiesis, i.e., host-type revertants, was much higher in B6C3F1 to C3H than in B6C3F1 to B6 combination. Spleen cells from such host-type revertants manifested strong anti-donor reactivity when assessed by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and/or CML in vitro. Increase of radiation doses to the recipients to 10.40 Gy resulted in 100% survival and 100% donor-type lymphohemopoiesis in both groups of chimeras. These results indicate strongly that a genetic difference in radiosensitivity of immune system of the recipients can greatly influence the magnitude of residual HVG reactions observed in hybrid to parental strain bone marrow transplantation in mice.     

Genetics of a non-H-2 antigen that stimulates "unrestricted" helper T cells and MLR

The inheritance of antigens expressed by C3H/Tif B cells that stimulate MHC-unrestricted helper T cells from C3H/HeJ was investigated. F1 hybrids between C3H/HeJ and C3H/Tif and 39 C3H/HeJ X F1 backcross mice were characterized as to the ability of their spleen cells to stimulate a proliferative C3H/HeJ T helper cell response and to respond to helper cell activity by the development of polyclonal plaque-forming cell responses. Backcross progeny wee also typed for the following markers segregating in this cross: 1) Responsiveness to the B cell mitogen lipopolysaccharide (LPS); 2) LyM-1 allotype; 3) antigen(s) stimulating a primary non-H-2 MLR between these strains, previously ascribed to Mls locus differences, 4) expression of target antigens for cytotoxic T cells raised in the same strain combination. The antigen(s) recognized by helper cells and those stimulating primary MLR are controlled by autosomal gene(s) and segregate as a single trait. These antigens, however, are not encoded in genes linked to either the Lps or the Mls loci, and are not recognized by cytotoxic T cells raised in the same strain combination.     

Anti-receptor anti-MHC cytotoxic T lymphocytes: their role in the resistance to graft vs host reaction

Specific resistance to local graft vs host reaction (GvHR) observed in F1 hybrids pretreated s.c., i.p., or i.v. with parent strain spleen cells has been explained as being due to cytotoxic cells induced in these pretreated F1 hybrids and directed against cells bearing receptors that recognize the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alloantigens of the opposite parent strain (anti-receptor anti-MHC cytotoxic T lymphocytes; CTL). These anti-receptor anti-MHC CTL, however, have never been detected directly in popliteal lymph nodes (PLN), which develop a specific resistance to GvHR. In this paper, we describe the detection of anti-receptor anti-D2 cytotoxic activity in both right and left PLN of B6D2F1 hybrids injected s.c. in the right footpad only with B6 spleen cells. This cytotoxic activity appears 4 days after the injection of B6 cells and diminishes by day 7. It is mediated by a Thy-1+, L3T4-, Lyt-2+ cell of B6D2F1 origin and induced by the injection of either Thy-1+L3T4+Lyt-2- or Thy-1+L3T4-Lyt-2+ B6 spleen cells. The anti-receptor anti-D2 CTL activity is not observed in PLN of B6D2F1 hybrids pretreated i.p. or i.v. with B6 spleen cells. Our results demonstrate that anti-receptor anti-MHC CTL can fully explain the specific resistance to GvHR induced by the s.c. pretreatment of F1 hybrids with parent strain spleen cells. Their role, however, in the resistance to GvHR observed in F1 hybrids i.v. or i.p. pretreated is far from being entirely proven.     

Specific inhibition of hybrid resistance in F1 hybrid mice pretreated with parent-strain spleen cells. III. Study of the mechanism

The rejection of H-2b parental bone marrow graft by lethally irradiated F1 recipients, that is known as hybrid resistance (HR), is a multistep process. In a first step a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-sensitive T cell recognizes the parental bone marrow cells and stimulates a macrophage-like cell to secrete IFN-alpha/beta (recognition phase). IFN-alpha/beta in turn activates a cyclophosphamide-sensitive NK-like cell that is the effector cell for HR (effector phase). In a previous paper we described that HR is specifically abrogated by the pretreatment of the F1 recipient with H-2b parental spleen cells. This abrogation is due to a Thy-1+CD5+CD4+CD8- nylon adherent suppressor cell of F1 origin. The aim of the present work was to study during which of the different phases of HR the activity of the suppressor cell is exerted. Our results showed that abrogation of HR in (C57BL/6 x C3H)F1 (B6C3F1) hybrids pretreated with B6 spleen cells results from: 1) the suppression of the 5-FU-sensitive T cell; 2) the suppression of the cyclophosphamide-sensitive NK-like cell; and 3) the disappearance of a humoral factor that is present in the serum of normal B6C3F1 hybrids and which seems to be involved in the effector phase of HR. The 5-FU-sensitive T cell is the only target of Thy-1+CD5+CD4+CD8- suppressor cell. The mechanisms responsible for the suppression of the NK-like effector cell and the disappearance of the humoral factor are discussed.     

Effector and regulatory cells in autoimmune oophoritis elicited by neonatal thymectomy.

(C57BL/6 x A/J)F1 (B6AF1) mice thymectomized between days 1 and 4 of age develop autoimmune oophoritis (D3TX oophoritis) 4 to 6 wk later. Oophoritis can be adoptively transferred to young recipients, and the disease in D3TX mice is prevented by reconstitution with normal adult spleen cells. The present study was further defined the nature of the effector and suppressor cells. Contrary to an earlier report, oophoritis is transferred to syngeneic and not allogeneic recipients. The spleen cells from D3TX mice when stimulated in vitro with Con A, also transfer oophoritis to adult recipients. The effector cells are CD4+: oophoritis transfer is abrogated by CD4 antibody and not by CD8 antibody and C. Spleen cells from D3TX male mice transfer disease less efficiently than female cells, thus endogenous ovarian Ag may be required for activation of effector T cells. T cells from normal adult spleen that suppress D3TX oophoritis also appear to be of CD4+ phenotype. These cells are likely to be derived from adult thymus because adult thymocytes also suppress D3TX disease. We were unable to substantiate the earlier claim that suppressor cells in normal mice are ovarian Ag specific. Thus male and female spleen cells suppress disease with comparable efficiency, and deprivation of endogenous ovarian Ag by neonatal ovariectomy of cell donors had no observable effect on disease suppression.     

Generation of T helper cells in vitro. IV. F1 T helper cells primed with antigen-pulsed parental macrophages are genetically restricted in their antigen-specific helper activity.

A sequential culture technique for the in vitro induction and subsequent assay of T helper cells is employed to examine the histocompatibility requirements for antigen recognition by murine T helper cells. F1 T cells are primed in vitro with antigen-pulsed parental strain macrophages and tested for antigen-specific helper activity in cultures containing anti-Thy 1.2 serum and C treated spleen cells from hapten-primed parental or F1 mice. A semiallogenieic system is used and appropriate controls are included to avoid possible complicating effects of allogeneic interactions. The results indicate that F1 T helper cells preferentially stimulate carrier-specific anti-hapten plaque-forming cell responses in spleen cells which are H-2 identical with the macrophage used initially to prime the T cells. Parental spleen cell cultures do not respond to F1 T helper cells which were primed with the other parental strain macrophage. Supplementing this culture with macrophages which are histocompatible with those used to prime the F1T cells is sufficient to restore T helper cell activity. Thus, the genetic restriction described here is between the primed T cell and the macrophage used to elicit secondary responses and not between the T cell and B cell. The results in this semiallogeneic system, however, do not rule out the possibility of additional allogeneic genetic restrictions in the subsequent interaction of T cells with B cells.     

LPS regulation of the immune response: separate mechanisms for murine B cell activation by lipid A (direct) and polysaccharide (macrophage-dependent) derived from Bacteroides LPS

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Bacteroides fragilis has been reported to stimulate mitogenic responses in spleen cell cultures from the classical LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mouse strain; however, we have shown that purified splenic B cells from C3H/HeJ mice are hyporesponsive to phenol-water extracted LPS from B. fragilis ATCC 25285 (B-LPS). In the present study, B-LPS and its purified lipid A and polysaccharide components were tested for their ability to induce mitogenic and polyclonal IgM synthesis in spleen cell and purified splenic B cell cultures from classical LPS-responsive and -hyporesponsive mice. Mitogenic responses to B-LPS and E. coli K235 LPS(Ph) of whole spleen cells (2 X 10(5) cells/culture) or purified B cells (5 X 10(5) cells/culture) from classical LPS-responsive mouse strains (C3H/HeN, BALB/c, C57BL/6J, C57BL/10Sn, and DBA/2), F1 mice (derived from crosses between LPS responsive and C3H/HeJ mice), and classical LPS-hyporesponsive mice (C3H/HeJ and C57BL/10ScN) were high, intermediate, and low, respectively. When a higher number of whole spleen cells (5 X 10(5) cells/well) were cultured, B-LPS induced high mitogenic responses in C3H/HeN, intermediate responses in F1, and lower but significant responses in C3H/HeJ cultures. Similar results were obtained when polyclonal IgM synthesis was assessed in cultures containing 1 X 10(6) cells/culture. In contrast, the purified lipid A component of B-LPS failed to induce mitogenic responses in either whole spleen or purified B cell cultures. The addition of purified splenic B cells from C3H/HeJ mice to C3H/HeN or C3H/HeJ splenic adherent cells resulted in mitogenic responses to B-LPS, implying that the hyporesponsiveness to B-LPS seen in whole spleen cell cultures from C3H/HeJ mice at the lower cell concentration was due to limiting numbers of M phi. When splenic B cells and M phi from either C3H/HeN or C3H/HeJ mice were incubated with the lipid A or the polysaccharide moiety of B-LPS, lipid A induced mitogenic responses only in C3H/HeN cultures, whereas the polysaccharide moiety induced similar responses in both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ cultures. These results suggest that Bacteroides lipid A does not stimulate B cells from the classical LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mouse strain, whereas the polysaccharide moiety of B-LPS is biologically active and mediates B cell stimulation via M phi.     

Inhibition of the mixed lymphocyte culture response with anti-Lyb-4.1 serum 1,2,.

C57BL/Ks anti-L1210 serum, which recognized a non-H-2-linked B cell alloantigen, designated Lyb-4.1, specifically blocked the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) response to allogeneic cells that expressed the Lyb-4.1 determinant. Anti-Lyb-4,1 serum blocked the MLC response across H-2 and MLC disparities. To test that this effect was not the result of a toxic or nonspecific cell-coating action, the response of parental cells to F1 lymphocytes was studied in combinations in which only one parent expressed the recognized allele. MLC stimulation was blocked only when the responding parental cell recognized on the F1 cell H-2 or MLs disparities which were derived from the parent which possessed the Lyb-4.1 antigen. Several DBA/2 tumors were characterized by cytotoxic and quantitation absorption assays for the presence of the B cell antigen. The presence of the antigen correlated with the ability of a limited number of tumors to stimulate the MLC response of H-2d identical BALB/c lymphocytes. An increased representation of the B cell alloantigen was found on the transformed B lymphoblast cell line in comparison to splenic B lymphocytes.     

Leucyl-leucine methyl ester treatment of donor cells permits establishment of immunocompetent parent----F1 chimeras that are selectively tolerant of host alloantigens

Treatment of murine lymphocytes with L-leucyl-L-leucine methyl ester (Leu-Leu-OMe) selectively removes natural killer cells, cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors, and the capacity to cause lethal graft-vs-host disease, whereas bone marrow stem cell function and alloantigen-induced L3T4+ T helper function remains intact. The present studies assess the immunocompetence of allogeneic bone marrow chimeras established by reconstituting irradiated (C57BL/6 X DBA/2)F1 (B6D2F1) mice with Leu-Leu-OMe-treated C57BL/6 (B6) bone marrow and spleen cells. Spleen cells from such chimeras were found to have normal B and T cell mitogenic responses. Furthermore, levels of natural-killer cell function were comparable to those observed in B6----B6 syngeneic radiation chimeras established without Leu-Leu-OMe treatment of donor cells. Spleen cells from B6----B6D2F1 mice were identical with B6----B6 or B6 mice in allostimulatory capacity and thus contained no discernible cells of non-H-2b phenotype. Whereas B6----B6D2F1 spleen cells demonstrated alloproliferative and allocytotoxic responses toward H-2k bearing spleen cells, no H-2d specific proliferative or cytotoxic responses could be elicited. B6----B6D2F1 spleen cells did not suppress the generation of anti-H-2d or anti-H-2k proliferative or cytotoxic responses from control B6 spleen cells. Furthermore, addition of rat concanavalin A supernatants did not reconstitute anti-H-2d responses of B6----B6D2F1 chimeric spleen cells. Thus, Leu-Leu-OMe treatment of B6 donor cells not only prevents lethal graft-vs-host disease, but also permits establishment of long-lived parent----F1 chimeras that are selectively tolerant of host H-2 disparate alloantigens, but fully immunocompetent with respect to natural killer cell function, B and T cell mitogenesis, and anti-third party alloresponsiveness.     

LPS regulation of the immune response: Bacteroides endotoxin induces mitogenic, polyclonal, and antibody responses in classical LPS responsive but not C3H/HeJ mice

Recent studies have suggested that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from gram-negative organisms such as Bacteroides, which are not members of the Enterobacteriaceae, stimulate B cells from the classic LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mouse. In the present study, purified, phenol-water-extracted LPS from Bacteroides fragilis ATCC 25285 (B-LPS) was tested for its ability to induce in vivo and in vitro responses in classic LPS-responsive C3H/HeN, LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ, and (C3H/HeN X C3H/HeJ)F1 hybrid mice. B-LPS induced mitogenic responses in both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ spleen cell cultures when cells were cultured under standard conditions, i.e., 8 X 10(5) cells/well. Interestingly, when lower spleen cell numbers were tested with B-LPS, a typical responsive-nonresponsive pattern developed in which good mitogenic responses were induced by B-LPS in C3H/HeN cultures and in which low responses in C3H/HeJ spleen cell cultures were evident. In vivo immunization of mice with B-LPS resulted in high antibody responses in C3H/HeN, intermediate responses in F1, and low responses in C3H/HeJ mice. When purified splenic B cells were incubated with B-LPS, both mitogenic responses and polyclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) synthesis occurred in C3H/HeN cultures, whereas intermediate responses were noted in F1 cultures and no response was seen in B cell cultures from C3H/HeJ mice. Furthermore, in vitro TNP-B-LPS responses were induced in C3H/HeN spleen cells or purified B cell cultures, and intermediate anti-TNP PFC responses occurred in F1 spleen cells or purified B cell cultures. The toxicity of B-LPS was tested in galactosamine-sensitized mice. The LD50 values for B-LPS in classic LPS-responsive C3H/HeN and C57BL/6J mice were 0.6 microgram and 1.1 microgram, respectively; F1 hybrid mice were approximately 15-fold more resistant, whereas C3H/HeJ mice gave an LD50 of 1650 micrograms. This study shows that phenol-water preparations of B-LPS are biologically active and induce responses in the classic LPS-responsive but not in the LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mouse strain.     

Specific suppression of the in vitro parent anti-hybrid reaction: II. Parameters influencing suppressor cell induction in the F1 hybrid

In the accompanying paper (K. Kosmatopoulos et al. Cell. Immunol.104, 319–334, 1987) we have reported that the spleens of B6D2F1 hybrids pretreated with B6 spleen cells 7 days earlier contain a cell which specifically suppresses the in vitro proliferative and cytotoxic B6 anti-B6D2F1 responses. The results we present here concern the in vivo conditions under which this suppressor cell can be induced. Suppressor cell activity appears early after the injection of B6 spleen cells (day +1), increases on Day 7, and disappears by Day 30; it is always detectable after the injection of 5 × 10⁷ B6 spleen cells and never after the injection of 1.25 × 10⁷ cells, the intermediate dose of 2.5 × 10⁷ cells being followed by variable results. This variability is attributable to the age of B6 donor and B6D2F1 recipient mice, and suppression is never observed when 2.5 × 10⁷ spleen cells from 6-week-old B6 mice are injected into 6-week-old B6D2F1 hybrids. The suppressor cell is induced by the injection of B6 spleen cells of the Thy-1⁺ Ly-1⁻2⁺ phenotype, even if they are irradiated at 1000 R just before their injection. Lymph node cells from B6 mice induce the suppressor cell, whereas thymocytes do not. Irradiation of B6D2F1 hybrids at 600 or 950 R does not prevent the induction of suppressor cell, nor does thymectomy. Moreover, in the thymectomized or 600 R-irradiated B6D2F1 animals suppression can be induced even by the injection of only 1.25 × 10⁷ B6 spleen cells. This phenomenon of specific suppression is not limited to the B6-B6D2F1 genetic combination since it has been observed in all parent-hybrid combinations tested to date.     

Cell-mediated immune response in vitro. II. The mechanism(s) involved in the suppression of the development of cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Spleen cells harvested from mixed leukocyte cultures (MLC) on day 2 or 3 suppress the development of CL from a fresh MLC across a cell-impermeable membrane, but day 4 MLC cells which have the maximum level of CL showed only a limited effect. Inhibition was observed only when suppressor cells were restimulated with the same H-2 type cells used during induction. However, the suppressive effect was not strain specific; that is, CBA-induced C57BL/6 spleen cells effectively inhibited the development of CL from DBA/2-induced C57BL/6 cells. In addition, DBA/2-induced C57BL/6 spleen cells effectively inhibited the development of CL from CBA cells. B10 spleen cells stimulated by B10.D2 cells gave rise to a suppressor cell population, indicating that H-2 differences alone can induce the response. The suppressive effect seemed to be exerted on an early phase of the response since no detectable inhibition was observed when suppressor cells were added 48 hr after culture initiation. The suppressive effect is not exerted on the accessory cell function but seems to inhibit DNA synthesis of the reacting cells in the MLC.