[Antigen-specific T-cell factors in the regulation of the immune response (author's transl)]

Abstract

We have examined in this brief review several facets of antigen-specific T-cell mediators found independently by different investigators. These factors have many common properties: (1) they are produced as a consequence of antigen stimulation; (2) they are obtained from T-cell populations and not from B cells or macrophages; their synthesis by T cells, however, has not been formally demonstrated; (3) they are antigen-specific and are selectively adsorbed by antigen-Sepharose columns; (4) they lack immunoglobulin constant region determinants of either L or H chain; (5) their estimated molecular weight by gel filtration is between 40,000 and 50,000 daltons; (6) they bear distinct I region controlled determinants; the helper factors are removed by anti-I-A immunoadsorbents; the suppressor factors in different distinct systems bear determinants coded foor by the I-J sub-region.