Lyt-2+ suppressor T cells are resistant to anti-Lyt-2 antibody blocking.
Lyt-2 molecules play a role in antigen recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). In an attempt to determine whether Lyt-2 molecules play a similar role in suppressor T cell (Ts) functions, the effect of anti-Lyt-2 antibodies on Ts generation and effector activity was studied. Allospecific Ts were induced in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC). Anti-Lyt-2 antibodies added to MLC in the absence of complement abolished CTL generation, but had no effect on concomitant induction of Ts. In a different experimental system, allospecific Ts were induced in cultures treated with pyrilamine, which blocks generation of CTL but allows differentiation of Ts. The addition of anti-Lyt-2 antibodies to pyrilamine-treated MLC resulted in unaffected induction of Ts. It was further demonstrated that the effector activity of Ts was as resistant to anti-Lyt-2 antibodies as their induction, in contrast to the cytolytic activity of CTL, which was inhibited by the same antibodies. Ts in the present experimental system were Lyt-2+ antigen-specific cells. It therefore appears that Lyt-2 molecules, although expressed on both CTL and Ts, are involved in CTL activity, but do not play an essential role in Ts function.
Hollander
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D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000276:immunology*; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002460:Cell Line; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology; D012515:Mast-Cell Sarcoma / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D051381:Rats; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000939:Epitopes; D007518:Isoantibodies; C029805:Lyt antibodies