T-cell function in B-lymphocyte-deprived mice

Previous work has identified selective defect(s) in T cells in mice deprived of B lymphocytes by the chronic administration of anti-IgM antibody. Experiments described in the present communication revealed that anti-IgM-treated mice do not possess T cells with surface Ia and FcR, and, unlike T cells from normal animals, they also fail to bind these molecules in vitro. Functional assays disclosed that an anti-suppressor pathway which relies on Ia+ donor and acceptor T cells is interrupted in these mice at both levels. These observations may provide an insight to explain the selective failure of some T cells when B lymphocytes have been deleted.     

Trans-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene as bridging ligand in thione-S-ligated dimeric copper(I) chloride complexes

Several mixed-ligand complexes have been prepared by treatment of copper(I) chloride with equimolar amounts of trans-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene (trans-dppen) in acetonitrile followed by the addition of a methanolic solution of one equivalent of a heterocyclic thione (L). The novel complex compounds have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by elemental analyses and melting points. The X-ray structures of three examples confirm that the compounds are homobimetallic dimers of type [CuCl(μ₂-trans-dppen)(L)]₂ containing two tetrahedral coordination units joined by two trans-dppen bridges.     

Activation in vivo of a major antisuppressor T-cell pathway immediately after immunization. I. Its regulation by I-A gene products

It has previously been demonstrated that within 6 hr after immunogenic stimulation the serum of mice contains a unique form of immunogenic antigen which represents complexes of Ig and antigen. The complexes are known to be strongly cytophilic for Ly2+ Ia+ FcR+ T cells and markedly enhance the IgG response. Anti-I-A treatment of mice suppresses the IgG antibody response and results in the generation of antigen specific T suppressor cells (Ts). Furthermore, anti-I-A treatment blocks the induction of the complexes and abolishes the enhancing effect the complexes exert on the IgG antibody response. The 6-hr cytophilic complexes were shown to block the function of Ts and allow a normal IgG response to take place; therefore, they act as mediators of a novel T-cell pathway called antisuppression. The blocking of the induction of the antisuppressor complexes by anti-I-A antibody was at least in part due to an effect on T cells. In conclusion, products of genes of the I-A subregion of the MHC control the activation early after immunization of a T-cell pathway which is called antisuppression since its major function is interference with the expression of suppression. Its early induction (within 6 hr) suggests that antisuppression may play a pivotal role in determining between immunity and unresponsiveness.