[Interaction of Ia-molecule of specific T-suppressor with complementary structure of syngeneic responding T-lymphocyte]

Abstract

To achieve inhibition of proliferation of alloantigen-induced T-lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte culture by specific suppressor T cells (SSTC), identity of SSTC and responder in MHC class II antigens is required; either in IC or in IA + IE. By shielding of the SSTC with antiserum to ICd product (without complement), it is demonstrated that ICd product is expressed on the SSTC surface only, rather than on the surface of both stimulator and responder cells (native or preactivated with the alloantigen). Pretreatment of SSTC with anti-ICd antibodies in the absence of complement does not prevent specific SSTC interaction with the alloantigen, but prevents the SSTC function in reversible fashion. Because part of responders preactivated with an alloantigen acquired a capacity to adhere to the syngeneic SSTC monolayer, it is supposed that a receptor to the syngeneic Ia-molecule of SSTC membrane arises on the surface of preactivated responder T cells, which results in direct interaction between these two cells, reflecting the "interactional restriction" mechanism of SSTC function.