Analysis of T cell responses to poly-L(GluLys) at the clonal level. I. Presence of responsive clones in nonresponder mice.
The synthetic random copolymer of L-glutamic acid and L-lysine (GL) is weakly or nonimmunogenic in all inbred strains of mice. Theories proposed to account for nonresponsiveness to GL include a deficient T cell repertoire, failure of antigen-presenting cells to present the antigen and/or the presence of suppressor cells. In this study we examine mechanisms for nonresponsiveness to GL. We demonstrate the existence of GL-reactive T cells which can be isolated with a relatively high frequency. These clones, which were derived following immunization of H-2d mice with poly(LGluLLysLTyr), also respond to several GL-containing polypeptides including the terpolymers of GL with phenylalanine, alanine (GLA) or leucine. Although recognition of GLA by heterogeneous T cell populations usually occurs in association with I-A determinants, these clones recognize GLA, as well as the other GL-containing polymers, in association with I-E determinants. Analysis of the antigen and alloreactivity patterns of these clones indicated that they expressed distinct antigen receptors. These studies imply that the T cell repertoire of "nonresponder" H-2d mice includes multiple GL-reactive T cell clones and that the antigen-presenting cells of these mice are effective in processing and presenting GL.
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000276:immunology*; D011107:Polylysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000276:immunology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
D006183:H-2 Antigens; D010455:Peptides; D011107:Polylysine; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; C030391:poly(glutamic acid-lysine)