Analysis of helper-T-cell function by acetylcholine receptor-reactive cell lines of defined AChR-subunit specificity.
A small panel of cloned acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-reactive helper T cells were examined for their ability to proliferate when stimulated with AChR or purified AChR subunits. It was observed that all T-cell lines preferentially responded to the AChR alpha subunit, but that some also were stimulated by other subunits as well. This was interpreted as indicating that the alpha subunit plays a major role in anti-AChR T-cell responses, but that considerable potential cross-reactivity exists among the subunits recognized by T cells. Furthermore, a high level of "microheterogeneity" in the T-cell-specificity repertoire was suggested by the fact that even this small panel of cloned lines expressed several patterns of subunit reactivity. Finally, all cloned T-cell lines examined were found to be capable of functioning as regulatory helpers in vitro by providing the necessary signals to AChR-responsive B cells, resulting in anti-AChR antibody production.
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000032:analysis*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D000939:Epitopes; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic