Generation of anti-H-Y-reactive T cells in vivo by the addition of activated macrophages.
The popliteal lymph node (PLN) enlargement assay is a sensitive measure of the graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) in the rat. It has been used to detect T cells reacting to the male-specific (H-Y) antigen. Normal or presensitized female T cells were injected into the footpads of syngeneic male rats, with or without the addition of activated macrophages. Anti-H-Y-reactive T cells from normal female DA rats were induced by the simultaneous injection of female peritoneal macrophages activated by i.p. injection of streptococci, as monitored by the degree of the PLN enlargement. Anti-H-Y reactivity reached a peak 7 days after injection. The synergistic action of the macrophages with female T cells was exerted during the inductive phase of the reaction, and was not restricted by the RT 1 complex. The dependence of anti-H-Y-reactive T cells on the activated macrophages was influenced by the degree of presensitization with H-Y antigen: nonsensitized, once-sensitized, and twice-sensitized female T cells exhibited anti-H-Y reactivity, if macrophages were injected concomitantly. Cells sensitized three times did not require the addition of macrophages. The anti-H-Y GVHR assay could provide a useful model for the study of the mechanism rendering T cells reactive to H-Y antigen, and also for the study of cellular interactions between the H-Y-reactive T cells and activated macrophages.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction; D006182:H-Y Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007700:Kinetics; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D006182:H-Y Antigen