Analysis of T-cell subsets in rejection of Kb mutant skin allografts differing at class I MHC.
The T-cell subpopulations which initiate and mediate tissue allograft rejection remain controversial. In the present study we attempted to identify the phenotype and function of the T-cell subset(s) primarily responsible for the rejection of skin allografts differing at a single class I locus in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). We found that the rejection rates by B6 mice (H-2b) of four different class I mutant (Kbm) skin allografts form a distinct hierarchy. This hierarchy correlates strikingly and uniquely with the relative precursor frequencies of Lyt2+ interleukin-2-secreting T-helper cells reactive against the various Kbm mutants. To investigate the role of Lyt2+ T cells in the rejection of class I-disparate skin allografts directly, H-2b nude mice were engrafted with Kbm skin allografts and then reconstituted with L3T4+ or Lyt2+ T-cell subpopulations from syngeneic H-2b mice. Lyt2+ T cells were observed to be both necessary and sufficient for the rejection of class I-disparate Kbm skin allografts, whereas L3T4+ T cells were neither necessary nor sufficient. These results identify the Lyt2+ interleukin-2-secreting T-cell subset as the critical cell type determining the rejection rate of class I-disparate Kbm skin allografts.
D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude / Q000276:immunology; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000950:Antigens, Ly; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006183:H-2 Antigens; C032876:H-2Kb protein, mouse; D007376:Interleukin-2