Natural suppressor-like cells in local graft-vs-host disease.
We examined the generation of suppressor cells in the popliteal lymph nodes (PLN) of F1 recipients of parental spleen cells in rats, i.e., a local form of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). PLN cells of F1 recipients, or subpopulations of these cells, were tested for their ability to suppress the mixed lymphocyte culture and cell-mediated lympholysis. Suppressor cells were consistently generated in this local GVHD reaction. In contrast to others, we found no evidence that suppression was mediated by T cells. Instead, the suppressor cells had the CD5-, CD8+, asialo-GM1+ phenotype characteristic of rat NK cells. The suppression exerted by these cells was nonspecific and was not mediated by a veto effect. The suppressor cells did not kill alloreactive T cell blasts, but had strong NK activity. These cells appear to be of donor origin. These local-GVHD-associated NK-like suppressor cells are similar, but not identical, to the natural suppressor cells described by other investigators in various experimental systems.
Prud'homme
G J
GJ
Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Bocarro
D C
DC
D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D051381:Rats; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation