Presence on idiotype-specific suppressor T cells of receptors that interact with molecules bearing the idiotype.
All A/J mice produce anti-p-azophenylarsonate (anti-Ar) antibodies, some of which share a cross-reactive idiotype. The idiotype can be suppressed by treatment with anti-idiotypic antiserum before immunization, although normal concentrations of anti-Ar antibodies are synthesized. We have previously reported that such suppressed mice, if hyperimmunized and then allowed to rest, contain up to 10% of splenic T cells which form rosettes with autologous RBC coated with Fab fragments of anti-Ar antibodies bearing the idiotype. Our present results indicate that the rosette-forming T cells include the idiotype-specific suppressor T-cell population. The suppressive activity is largely depleted by removal of the rosette-forming lymphocytes, and the rosettes themselves are highly suppressive. The data do not establish whether all of the idiotype-specific rosette-forming cells are suppressor cells. The system may provide a source of large numbers of suppressor cells for further study, and facilitate investigation of the mechanism of generation of idiotype-specific suppressor cells.
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005838:Genotype; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000276:immunology; D007106:Immune Sera; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010132:p-Azobenzenearsonate / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D007106:Immune Sera; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D010132:p-Azobenzenearsonate; D006433:Hemocyanins