title: The activation of guinea pig T lymphocytes by anti-beta 2-microglobulin serum.
abstract: In order to study further the role of beta 2-m in the regulation of the immune response, we have examined the effects of a goat anti-guinea pig beta 2-m serum on a number of T lymphocyte functions in vitro. Anti-beta 2-m serum produced a marked inhibition of the response of peritoneal exudate T cells to antigen and mitogen stimulation. Surprisingly, a marked activation of lymph node T lymphocyte proliferation was observed in the absence of antigen or mitogen stimulation. This stimulatory effect of anti-beta 2-m serum was shown to be specific for beta 2-m and required the presence of macrophages. The T cell proliferative response induced by anti-beta 2-m could not be blocked by antisera to the antigens of the guinea pig MHC. These studies suggest that beta2-m may play some critical role in the immune response at the level of T cell activation.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000276:immunology*; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes; D006041:Goats; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D000939:Epitopes; D007106:Immune Sera; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D014373:Tuberculin; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D010047:Ovalbumin