In vitro immune response of human peripheral lymphocytes. II. Properties and functions of concanavalin A-induced suppressor T cells.
Con A-stimulation of human peripheral T lymphocytes induced both suppressor and helper T cells. ConA-generated suppressor T cells inhibited PWM-induced IgG and IgM production in PBL. Lower concentrations of Con A (0.5 micrograms/ml) or shorter incubation periods (6 to 24 hr) induced mainly helper T cells, while higher concentrations of Con A (10 micrograms/ml) or longer incubation periods (at least 48 hr) induced suppressor T cells. Con A-generated suppressor T cells were sensitive to mitomycin treatment and exerted their suppressor function on the early phase of differentiation and/or proliferation of B cells but not on the final differentiation of B cells to Ig-producing cells. The identity of the MHC was not required for the expression of suppressor function. Suppressor T cells competed with helper T cells in PWM-induced Ig-production of PBL. This experimental system can be applied to estimate the regulatory function of T cells in several disease states.
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008937:Mitomycins; D003208:Concanavalin A