Modulation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis with anti-T suppressor factor antibodies

mAb reactive with T suppressor factors (TsF) were used to alter the course of myelin basic protein-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in (SJL/J x PL/J)F1 mice. In vivo administration of mAb 14-12, reactive with effector TsF, exacerbated the clinical expression of encephalomyelitis as evidenced by prolonged periods of total limb paralysis in affected animals. This aggravation of disease signs is probably related to the inhibition of effector Ts function by mAb 14-12 thus allowing T cell autoreactivity to proceed unchecked. Disease course was influenced more favorably by i.v. administration of mAb 14-30 reactive with a subset of inducer TsF. Ten days of treatment with this mAb resulted in a reduction in the incidence and severity of disease, noted as the development of minimal limb weakness but no paralysis in the majority of affected animals. Adoptive transfer experiments revealed the presence of Ag-specific Ts in mAb 14-30-treated mice that inhibited recipient Lyt-1+ responses to myelin basic protein, the immunizing autoantigen. Suppression by transferred Ts was revealed only by treatment of the donor population with anti-Lyt-1.2 plus C, however, indicating a role for contrasuppressor activity in the regulation of autoimmune T cell function. Results are considered relevant to the potential for immunotherapeutic management of multiple sclerosis in man.     

Embryo implantation associated with increase in T-cell suppressor factor in the uterus and spleen of mice

The concentrations of T-cell suppressor factor (TsF) were examined by competitive binding assays in the uterus, spleen, and regional lymph nodes draining the uterus in Day-5 pregnant mice or in ovariectomized mice given hormone treatments to induce conditions of delayed implantation or implantation. The amounts of immunoreactive TsF on Day 5 of pregnancy were 2.055 +/- 0.302, 0.803 +/- 0.088, 0.426 +/- 0.136 ng TsF/mg extractable protein for the regional lymph nodes, spleen and uterus, respectively, during Day 5 of pregnancy. When implantation was prevented by ovariectomy on Day 4 followed by treatment with only progesterone, amounts of TsF (as a % of Day 5 value) were decreased to 57% in the uterus and increased to 141% in the spleen and 180% in the regional lymph nodes. When implantation was then initiated with the addition of oestradiol-17 beta to the progesterone treatment, amounts of TsF were increased to 206% in the uterus, 318% in the spleen, and remained unchanged at 180% in the regional lymph nodes. These experiments suggest that the amounts of TsF in the uterus and spleen are dependent upon the implantation process, whereas amounts of TsF in the regional lymph nodes are independent of this event.     

A monoclonal antibody raised to tumor-specific T cell-derived suppressor factors also recognizes T suppressor inducer factors of the 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl hapten suppressor network

A monoclonal antibody (mAb), B16G, was raised from BALB/c mice immunized with affinity-purified T suppressor factors (TsF) specific for the murine mastocytoma P815. This mAb was found to bind to polyclonal TsF isolated from the spleens of tumor-bearing animals, and to the TsF released from a P815-specific T cell hybridoma. In this study, B16G was tested for its reactivity with TsF produced in the 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl hapten system. The factors from three types of suppressor T cell hybridomas, each representing the immortalized analogues of the inducer T suppressor cell (Ts1), transducer suppressor cell (Ts2), and effector suppressor cell (Ts3) network populations, were tested. B16G was found to be reactive with two sources of TsF1 as assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and delayed-type hypersensitivity bioassay. By contrast, TsF2 and TsF3 were nonreactive with B16G. These results indicate that B16G recognizes class-specific suppressor factor determinants, and that the transducer/effector factors of the network are apparently serologically distinct. Because the B16G mAb fails to recognize 4-hydroxy-3-nitro-phenyl acetyl-specific TsF3 that share idiotype-related determinants with TsF1 yet binds to TsF1 molecules that have interacted with antigen, the binding is apparently independent of the site of antigen recognition. Additionally, the results show that the tumor-specific TsF1 raised in one suppressor system share serologic determinants with anti-hapten TsF1 raised in another.     

A monoclonal antibody raised to lipomodulin recognizes T suppressor factors in two independent hapten-specific suppressor networks

Five different Ag-binding suppressor factors from two types of hapten-specific Ts cell hybridomas (TsF1 inducer and TsF3 effector factors) were bound by an anti-lipomodulin mAb (141-B9), that crossreacts with rodent glycosylation inhibition factor (GIF). The Ag-specific suppressor activity in these hybridoma supernatants was bound by anti-lipomodulin columns and could be recovered by elution at acid pH. Additional evidence for the expression of lipomodulin/GIF activity on these TsF molecules was demonstrated by the ability of the eluted fractions to inhibit the glycosylation of IgE-binding peptides during their biosynthesis. The same biologic activity is associated with GIF and lipomodulin. The relationship between TsF and lipomodulin/GIF was confirmed in a serologic assay, which showed that TsF1 and TsF3 molecules, whether purified over Ag, anti-IJ or anti-TsF columns, are recognized by the mAb. 141-B9. The combined results indicate that Ag-binding Ts factors share a common antigenic determinant with phospholipase inhibitory proteins such as lipomodulin and GIF. In addition, the demonstration of glycosylation regulatory activity carried on these TsF molecules suggests a possible mode for their bioactivity.     

The immune response and the eye. I. The effects of monoclonal antibodies to T suppressor factors in anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID)

We report the effects of two monoclonal antibodies (mab) specific for murine T suppressor (Ts) factors (TsF) in anterior chamber (AC)-associated immune deviation (ACAID), as induced by AC inoculation of TNP-coupled syngeneic spleen cells (TNP-Spl). One mab (14-12) is specific for Ts effector factor and can block the induction of Ts cells in ACAID if given before or after AC injection of TNP-Spl. The other mab (14-30) is specific for Ts inducer factors and blocks suppression only after given after TNP-Spl. We also studied the surface phenotype of the Ts cells induced by AC injection of TNP-Spl. We show that at least two cells are required for the adoptive transfer of suppression in TNP-ACAID. One is Lyt-2+ and 14-12+, the other is I-J+. These Ts cells have the surface phenotype of Ts effector cells as seen in other systems. These results indicate that mab which bind TsF in other systems affect Ts cells in TNP-ACAID, and that the Ts cells induced in TNP-ACAID are only of the Ts effector type.     

The molecular basis of granuloma formation in schistosomiasis. IV. T cell-derived suppressor-inducer and suppressor-effector factor reactivities are regulated by a TCR beta chain analog

In Schistosomiasis mansoni, granulomatous modulation is mediated by antigenically and genetically restricted T suppressor-inducer and suppressor-effector cells and the soluble factors which they produce. The T suppressor-inducer factor (TsiF) is produced by an L3T4+, 14-30+ T cell. TsiF does not suppress directly, but induces the production of T-cell-derived suppressor-effector factor (TseF). TseF directly suppresses granuloma formation in vitro and in vivo. This study describes the molecular properties of TsiF. The factor is a nonimmunoglobulin heterodimer which can be separated into two component chains by dithiothreitol (DTT) reduction. The alpha chain imparts antigenic specificity and bears both the AgR and the epitope recognized by mAb 14-30 which characterizes T cells and factors of the Tsi phenotype. The beta chain imparts genetic restriction and bears both the I-J phenotypic marker and a T-cell receptor for Ag (TCR) V beta 8 determinant. These two chains can complement each other in vitro to reconstitute functional activity. The beta chain also determines the functional activity of T cell-derived suppressor factor (TsF). A beta chain, derived from TsiF, can complement the alpha chain derived from TsiF or TseF to reconstitute TsiF, but not TseF functional activity. Conversely the beta chain of TseF can reconstitute only TseF activity. These findings suggest that TsiF bears structural homologies to the TCR borne by Tsi cells and that the beta chain mediates the mode of functional interactions between TsFs and their target cells.     

Specific T-cell factor production and lymphocytes in the direct surroundings of a subcutaneous allogeneic tumor.

Antigen-specific T-cell factors (TCF) play a role in the initiation of cellular immune responses. In allogeneic mouse-tumor models lymphocytes from the direct tumor surroundings of both euthymic and nude mice produce TCF. These lymphocytes produce TCF when collected already 1 day after subcutaneous (sc) injection of tumor cells. In contrast to euthymic mice, draining lymph nodes and spleen of nude mice did not contain TCF-producing lymphocytes at any stage after sc tumor cell injection. In sensitized euthymic mice TCF production by lymphocytes is significantly higher in the direct tumor surroundings than in draining lymph nodes or spleen. At 2 and 5 days after tumor cell injection, the mononuclear cell infiltrate of the tissue surrounding the tumor in euthymic mice showed low expression of Thy 1, CD3, TCR alpha beta, TCR gamma delta, CD4, CD8, and asialo GM1, whereas several lymphocytes and mast cells were positive for monoclonal antibody (mAb) 14-30 (directed against TCF). In both euthymic and nude mice, sc injected tumor cells showed apoptosis. In conclusion, the direct tumor surroundings are the first (and, for nude mice, the only) site of TCF production, sc injection of tumor cells attracts mAb 14-30-positive lymphocytes and renders mast cells positive for mAb 14-30.     

The suppressor T cell induced by syngeneic splenic cell antigen down-regulates hapten-specific cytotoxic T cells by elaborating a factor inhibitory for IL2-dependent cell replication

An in vitro study has been made of the mechanism by which a suppressor T cell, that is induced in lymph nodes by a syngeneic splenic cell antigen, prevents generation of cytotoxic T cells specific for hapten-altered self antigens. When popliteal lymph node cells exposed in vivo to syngeneic splenic cells were immunized in vitro with heat-treated syngeneic TNP-coupled thymocytes and excess helper factors, the Ts remained inactive. In this condition the exposed popliteal lymph node cells routinely demonstrated approximately twice the CTL response developed by lymph node cells from normal mice. Nevertheless, when triggered in vitro by splenic antigen on either X-irradiated B or T cells, the exposed but not the normal lymph node cells exhibited reduced hapten-altered self-specific CTL responses. Furthermore, T cells within spleen cell-exposed popliteal lymph node cell populations when reexposed to splenic T cells made a factor that was found to be suppressive of CTL generation by normal lymph node cells in vitro. The nondialyzable T-cell suppressor factor (TsF) did not appear to act on lymph node precursor CTLs, nor on helper T cells but instead acted at the level of utilization of helper factors in the development of CTLs. In an examination of the effect of TsF on cellular replication, TsF was found to be nontoxic for CTLL-20, an IL-2-dependent T cell, and it did not hinder the uptake of IL-2 by receptor blockade of this cell. Nevertheless, the replication of CTLL-20 that is IL-2 driven was diminished in the presence of TsF. Similarly, TsF was found to be inhibitory for T-cell proliferation stimulated by mitogen but had no effect on a B myeloma cell proliferative response. Thus, TsF appears to act as an inhibitor of a T cell's capability to replicate despite the presence of the stimulus for replication, namely, IL-2.     

A novel suppressive activity: complementation between a T cell induced with first-order T-suppressor factor and an I-J-restricted antigen-nonspecific T cell

Previous studies demonstrated that the first-order T-suppressor factor (TsF1) requires the presence of antigen to induce idiotype-specific Ts cells which readily suppress phenyltrimethylamino (TMA) hapten-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses when transferred into already immune recipients. In this study we show that TsF1 in the absence of antigen induces a splenic population which limits DTH in recipient mice only when an additional accessory lymphoid population was also cotransferred. Neither of these populations alone was sufficient to mediate suppression and depletion of T cells in either population's abrogated suppression, indicating the T-cell dependency of the complementing cell types. Moreover, suppression was seen only when TMA-TsF1-induced and not normal spleen cell lysate-induced cells were cotransferred with the antigen-induced population, suggesting the requirement for a specific signal to induce the factor-induced population. Further experiments showed that the antigen-induced lymphoid population could be replaced by either heterologous antigen-induced or adjuvant alone-induced splenic populations, indicating the lack of specificity of this secondary population. Further analysis showed that the cell complementation between TMA-TsF1-induced and the nonspecific accessory lymphoid population resulted in antigen-specific and genetically restricted immune suppression. The TsF1-induced lymphoid population was not responsible for the genetic restriction, and furthermore, there was no restriction observed between the two complementing populations. However, matching of the nonspecific accessory cell with the recipient host at the I-J subregion of the H-2 complex was essential for immune suppression. Finally, the activity of complementing cells was found to be independent of cyclophosphamide-sensitive Ts populations of the recipient mice. The ramifications of these findings with reference to the existing suppressor pathways are discussed.     

Hapten-specific responses to the phenyltrimethylamino hapten. V. A single chain antigen-binding I-J+ first-order T suppressor factor requires antigen to induce anti-idiotypic second-order suppressor T cells

We have previously shown that a single i.p. injection of the monovalent antigen, L-tyrosine-p-azophenyltrimethylammonium in complete Freund's adjuvant induces a Ly-1+2-, idiotype-bearing, and antigen-binding first-order T suppressor (Ts1) population. We showed that soluble factors extracted from these cells could suppress delayed-type hypersensitivity responses if administered at the induction phase of the response. In this paper we additionally characterize the suppressor factor, TsF1, with respect to its biologic, serologic, and chemical properties. The studies show that the TsF1 is neither allotype nor H-2 restricted and can induce anti-idiotypic T suppressor cells (Ts2), but it requires the presence of antigen to do so. The factor binds antigen, bears I-J encoded determinants, is resistant to reduction and alkylation, and elutes as a single chain factor after adsorption onto monoclonal anti-I-J antibody-coupled Sepharose beads in the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT). This is in marked contrast to TsF2 (derived from Id-specific Ts2-containing spleen cells), which lost its suppressive activity after reduction and alkylation, and behaves as a two chain factor after adsorption and elution from anti-I-J-coupled beads in the presence of DTT. The TsF1 is discussed with respect to the properties of it and those of TsF1 from other similar idiotype-dominated antigen systems.     

Isolation of functional polyclonal TsF from MRL-lpr spleens using monoclonal antibody absorbance

We have previously described a monoclonal antibody, B16G, which has been found to be specific for T-cell derived suppressor factors (TsF). B16G has been shown to react with T-suppressor cells, TsF in the spleens of normal or tumor-bearing mice, the TsF produced by a tumor-specific T-cell hybridoma, and with polyclonal whole human TsF isolated from tonsilar tissue. This panreactivity inherent to the B16G MAb has made it clear that it recognizes some common, shared epitope of the TsF molecule. In this study we have used B16G as a probe to isolate TsF from the spleens of MRL-lpr mice and compare the activity with these factors isolated from the spleens of an MHC compatible nonautoimmune strain, CBA. We find that equivalent quantities of functional TsF are isolable from both strains and thus, it can be concluded that the associated oligoclonal B-cell activation characteristic of MRL-lpr mice is not due to a polyclonal T-suppressor cell deficit, nor to the ability of TsC in these mice to produce soluble, functional TsFs. The molecular and biochemical characteristics of these TsFs are discussed.     

Purification and analysis of an antigen-specific suppressor factor from a T cell hybridoma specific for phenyltrimethylamino hapten

The synthetic monovalent antigen L-tyrosine-p-azophenyltri-methylammonium (tyr (TMA)) induces in A/J mice, a cascade of regulatory T cells in the absence of any detectable effector function (e.g., CTL, delayed-type hypersensitivity, etc.). An important component of the activated T cells is a first order suppressor T cell or Ts1 that is Ly-1+2-, functions only at the afferent limb of the anti-TMA response, binds the TMA ligand and bears cross-reactive idiotypes associated with anti-TMA antibodies. This Ts1 produces a suppressor factor (TsF1) that binds the TMA ligand, bears the cross-reactive idiotypes and I-J determinants and functions to induce an idiotype-specific Ts2 population. To study the biochemistry of this TsF, use was made of T cell hybridomas that constitutively produce TMA-TsF1 (8A.1 and 8A.3). The TsF1 was purified from culture supernatant or cell extracts by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, reverse phase HPLC and either affinity chromatography or by preparative IEF. The TsF1 has an isoelectric point of 6.5 and a m.w. of 26,000 or 62,000 as analyzed by SDS-PAGE or high performance molecular sieve chromatography. Its precipitation in 30 to 40% (NH4)2SO4; elution pattern from reverse phase high performance columns; its capacity to bind to a mAb specific for L-glutamic acid 60L-alanine30-L-tyrosine10 (GAT)-TsF1 strongly suggest that this protein belongs to the same family of proteins as do the GAT-TsF1 described previously. Most noteworthy is that although these TsF1 proteins show remarkable similarities, they are absolutely specific in their biologic activity; TMA-TsF1 will not suppress the response to GAT-BA-TNP and GAT-TsF1 will not suppress the response to TMA-BA-TNP. Thus the TMA-TsF1 represents a second example of a unique group of Ag-specific proteins whose function is to induce or activate other suppressor T cells in the primary immune response to Ag.     

Cloned suppressor T cells derived from mice tolerized with conjugates of antigen and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol. Relationship between monoclonal T suppressor factor and the T cell receptor

Cloned Ts cells specific for the Ag, human monoclonal (myeloma) IgG, were derived from spleen cells of mice that had been immunosuppressed by treatment with a tolerogenic conjugate of HIgG and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol. The cloned Ts cells (clone 23.32) suppressed in vitro antibody responses in an Ag-specific and MHC-restricted manner. By FMF with appropriate antibody reagents, these cells were shown to be Thy-1+, CD4-, CD5-, and CD8+ and to express CD3 and the alpha beta-TCR. These results are consistent with the view that Ts cells use Ag recognition structures similar to those reported for Th cells and CTL. A soluble factor (TsF) extracted from the cloned Ts cells also suppressed in vitro antibody responses in an Ag-specific and H-2Kd-restricted manner, i.e., restricted to MHC class I molecules. The suppressive activity of this TsF could be abrogated by addition of mAb H28-710 that reacts with a determinant on the alpha-chain of TCR. Moreover, the TsF bound to and could be recovered from an immunosorbent consisting of the anti-alpha-TCR mAb H28-710 coupled to Sepharose 4B. In contrast, the TsF was not bound by immunosorbents consisting of mAb to the beta-chain of TCR (H57-597) or to V beta 8 (F23.1). It was, therefore, concluded that the TsF of clone 23.32 is serologically related to the alpha-chain of the TCR; however, it is not identical to TCR, because it lacks the determinants expressed on the TCR beta-chain that are recognized by the two anti-beta mAbs used in this study.     

Nonspecific inhibitor of DNA synthesis elaborated by T acceptor cells. I. Specific hapten- and I-J-driven liberation of an inhibitor of cell proliferation by Lyt-1-2+ cyclophosphamide-sensitive T acceptor cells armed with a product of Lyt-1+2+-specific suppressor cells

Lyt-1+2+ hapten-specific T suppressor cells (Ts) from mice injected and then painted with picryl or oxazolone derivatives produce hapten-specific T suppressor factors (TsF) in vitro. Stimulation by painting with contact sensitizer (which need not be specific) gives rise to Lyt-1-2+, I-J+, cyclophosphamide-sensitive T acceptor cells (Tacc). When the Tacc population is armed with TsF and then is exposed to specific antigen in the context of I-J-controlled determinants (antigen-presenting, haptenized spleen cells and Ts sharing the same I-J subregion), a nonspecific inhibitor of DNA synthesis (nsINH) appears in the supernatant. This inhibitor suppresses the primary DNA synthetic response to concanavalin A, lipopolysaccharide, and alloantigens in both syngeneic and allogeneic lymphocytes. The nsINH is only effective when added to lymphocyte cultures less than 8 hr after the stimulation with concanavalin A. The nsINH, however, affects neither primary nor secondary cytotoxicity in vitro. These data suggest the mouse immune system is capable of selective regulation of the response to specific antigen by the production of nonspecific soluble suppressor factor(s).     

Neonatal exposure to propylthiouracil induces a shift in lymphoid cell sub-populations in the developing postnatal male rat spleen and thymus

Evidence of the connections between the immune system and the thyroid axis is increasingly strong; however, much of the data are focused on immune effects of altered thyroid status in adults or rodents with congenital defects of the pituitary/thyroid axis. The object of the present study was to determine the effects of PTU-induced hypothyroidism on the developing immune system of the rat by focussing on both the spleen and thymus gland. Male Sprague-Dawley rat pups were exposed to PTU through maternal milk by giving the mothers 0.02% PTU in their drinking water starting on the pups' day of birth until day 24 (d24), shortly before weaning on d28. Animals were sampled on days 14, 22, 30, and 91. The mean body weight was decreased in the PTU-treated animals on days 14, 22, and 30. The mean spleen and thymic weights and cellularity were all decreased in the PTU-treated animals on d22 and d30. PTU exposure increased the proportion of NK cells in the spleen on days 14, 22, and 30. The proportion of T-cells was increased on days 22 and 30 with a particular increase in the CD4+ T-cells, resulting in an increase in the ratio of helper T-cells to suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells at d22. PTU also decreased the proportion of splenic B-cells at days 14, 22, and 30 which could explain the increased proportion of both NK and T-cells during these sampling periods. PTU treatment decreased the lytic ability of NK cells at d22, but no functional differences were observed at days 14, 30, 91, despite the increased proportion of NK cells in PTU-exposed animals at days 14, 22, and 30. PTU exposure also increased the proportion of CD4+CD8- cells in the thymus on d22 and caused an increase in both the CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8+ populations on d30. These data suggest that the effects of temporary, PTU-induced hypothyroidism on the cell populations in the spleen partially result from transient changes in thymic T-cell development, including a shift towards increased CD4+CD8- cells. The data also suggest that temporary hypothyroidism early in development decreases B-cell development in a transient fashion. Temporary hypothyroidism induced from birth to the latter stages of the weaning period induced transitory effects on the spleen, thymus, and immune cell sub-populations--all of which recovered to normal values when the animals matured.     

T suppressor factor activity is due to two separate molecules. The Lyt-1(-)2+I-J+ cells of mice primed with antigen make an antigen binding molecule which is only active when complemented by cofactor made by Lyt-1+2(-)I-J+ cells

Mice primed with picrylsulfonic acid (PSA) and then painted on the skin with picryl chloride produce antigen-specific T suppressor factor (TsF). In contrast unpainted primed mice fail to produce active TsF. This is not due to the absence of the antigen binding part of TsF but to the absence of a cofactor. This cofactor is (a) antigen nonspecific and occurs in potassium chloride extract of normal spleen cells. It also occurs in the 24 hr supernatant of normal cells modified by haptenisation with picryl or the unrelated NP antigen (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetyl), and in preparations of conventional TsF (PSA/PCl) from painted PSA-primed mice; (b) bears I-J determinants; and (c) is produced by Lyt-1+2(-)I-J+ cells. The antigen binding molecule occurs alone in the supernatant of PSA-primed mice. It lacks I-J determinants and has a molecular weight around 35,000 and 75,000. It is produced by Lyt-1(-)2+I-J+ cells and is only active when complemented by cofactor. However, the complementation is genetically restricted and the restriction maps to the I-J subregion of the MHC.     

Relationships between antigen-specific helper and inducer suppressor T cell hybridomas

Ts1, or inducer suppressor T cells, share many phenotypic and functional characteristics with helper/inducer subset of T cells. In order to evaluate the relationship between these cell types, we made a series of new Ts1 hybridomas by the fusion of Ts1 cells with the functionally TCR alpha/beta-negative BW thymoma (BW 1100). Three Ts1 hybridomas (CKB-Ts1-38, CKB-Ts1-53, and CKB-Ts1-81) were established that express TCR and produce Ag-specific suppressor factors constitutively, thus making it possible to study the nature and specificity of Ag receptors, MHC restriction, and lymphokine production by the Ts1 hybridomas. Results presented in this report demonstrate that all the Ts1 hybridomas described here express CD3-associated TCR-alpha beta. These three Ts1 hybridomas recognize Ag (NP-KLH) specifically in a growth inhibition assay and this recognition is restricted by IE molecules. Two of the hybridomas also produce IL-2 or IL-2 and IL-4 upon Ag-specific activation. Thus, by these three criteria the Ts1 hybridomas appear indistinguishable from Th cells. These three Ts1 hybridomas, however, release suppressor factors (TsF1) in the supernatant that suppress both in vivo DTH and in vitro PFC responses in an Ag-specific manner. Like the TsF1 factors characterized previously, the suppression mediated by these factors are Igh restricted and lack H-2 restriction. These factors mediate suppression when given in the induction phase but not during the effector phase of the immune response. The TsF1 factors are absorbed by Ag (NP-BSA), and anti-TCR affinity columns and the suppressor activity can be recovered by elution. The data are consistent with the interpretation that Ts1 inducer-suppressor T cells are related to Th cells; the feature that distinguishes these cells is the ability to produce Ag-binding factors that specifically suppress immune responses.     

A primary in vitro antibody assay for antigen-specific T-suppressor factor: cross-suppression of TNP-specific antibody responses by TMA-specific TsF1

We have previously shown that phenyltrimethylammonium (TMA)-specific, first-order suppressor T cells (Ts1) and soluble factors extracted from these cells (TsF1) can suppress delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses. The TsF1, as monitored in the DTH system, was characterized and found to be a single-chain, antigen-binding, I-J+, and Id+ molecule. To monitor TsF1 in an efficient manner, an in vitro antibody system was developed. The studies show that in vitro stimulation of naive A/J spleen cells with the thymic-independent antigen, Brucella abortus, to which TMA and trinitrophenol (TNP) or fluorescein (FL) are coupled (TMA-BA-TNP or TMA-BA-FL), induces significant numbers of anti-TNP or anti-FL plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses. The addition of TMA-specific TsF1 results in the cross-suppression of 30-50% of the total anti-TNP and FL PFC responses. This activity is antigen (TMA) dependent since suppression occurs only when the TMA ligand is present in the culture media. Analysis of the TNP-specific PFC responses in nonsuppressed cultures revealed that 20-35% of the PFC bear the cross-reactive idiotype(s) (CRI) normally associated with anti-TMA antibodies. In cultures containing TMA-TsF1, CRI+PFC are suppressed by 90-100% while the CRI-PFC are suppressed only by 10-30%. Our studies further show that an induction-phase, antigen-binding, CRI+, and I-J+ single-chain factor is responsible for the observed in vitro suppression. The possibility of utilizing this assay to monitor a variety of antigen-specific suppressor factors is discussed.     

The role of LFA-1, Mac-1, ICAM-1 and Ia in the induction of Th-2 type of immune response in spleen during murine syngeneic pregnancy

Murine syngeneic pregnancy is characterized by the transient splenomegaly at mid gestation. Recent studies from our laboratory have indicated the initiation of T-cell dependent B-cell response in the spleen during early pregnancy (Hegde and Nainan 1998). Present studies were carried out to understand the role of cell adhesion and MHC class II (Ia) molecules in the induction of Th-2 type of response in the spleen of pregnant mouse. Immunochemical localization of ICAM-1, LFA-1, Mac-1 and Ia in spleen have been carried out at different stages of pregnancy and formation of cell clusters and natural cell adhesion assay with splenocytes were carried out on day 1 (D1) pregnancy and compared with control. Upregulation of ICAM-1, LFA-1, Mac-1 and Ia was observed during early pregnancy. This coincided with the formation of germinal centers (GC) and Th2 type of interleukins in spleen as reported earlier. Increased expression of cell adhesion and Ia molecules during early pregnancy provides additional evidence for the systemic shift to Th2 type of immune response in syngeneic murine pregnancy.     

Accessory cells in immune suppression. III. Evidence for two distinct accessory cell-dependent mechanisms of T lymphocyte-mediated suppression

Suppression of antibody secretion by the 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP)-binding BALB/c myeloma, MOPC 315, by idiotype- and hapten-reactive suppressor T cells is mediated by secreted factors (TsF) and requires the presence of accessory cells (AC). Idiotype-specific TsF functions only in the presence of Ia+ AC and is completely idiotype specific. Moreover, no suppression is observed when myeloma targets and AC are separated by cell-impermeable membranes, indicating that the role of AC may be to bind, focus, and/or present TsF to the myeloma cells. In contrast, TNP-specific TsF inhibits myeloma function in the presence of TNP-protein and activated macrophages that are not Ia+. This form of suppression is nonspecific at the effector stage; i.e., anti-TNP TsF inhibits a non-TNP binding cell line, TEPC 15, as long as TNP-protein and activated macrophages are present. Moreover, suppression occurs even when myeloma targets and AC are separated by cell-impermeable membranes. These results are consistent with the view that hapten-reactive TsF binds to antigen on the surface of macrophages and induces these cells to secrete nonspecific immunosuppressive molecules. Thus, different types of AC may play fundamentally different roles in TsF-mediated suppression; they may either bind and present TsF to targets (as in the case of idiotype-specific TsF) or secrete nonspecific immunosuppressants as a consequence of a TsF-antigen interaction (hapten-specific TsF). Autonomous, suppressible targets provide valuable experimental systems for analyzing the cellular interactions in T cell-mediated suppression.