Lymphocyte stimulation by cell wall constituents.
T cells recognize peptides in association with self-MHC structures on antigen-presenting cells and become activated upon ligand binding to the T cell receptor. It is not known whether T cells are also able to recognize carbohydrate antigens. As a model system, we have investigated the human T cell immune response to the group-specific carbohydrate of A streptococci. This antigen stimulated specific antibody production in B cells very effectively, but was unable to stimulate proliferation in T cell lines or clones that reacted specifically to streptococcal A particles. Therefore, streptococcus A-specific T cells seem to recognize other structures of the particulate antigen than the carbohydrate, as was confirmed by the persistence of stimulation after periodate treatment.
Emmrich
F
F
Max Planck Society, Clinical Research Unit for Rheumatology/Immunology, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; C036112:streptococcal polysaccharide group A