The phenotype of antigen-specific suppressor T cells generated in human mixed leucocyte culture depends on the nature of the major histocompatibility regions recognized.
Following secondary stimulation of mixed leucocyte culture (MLC) populations with a class I plus II HLA difference, antigen-specific suppressor-effector cells of the OKT8+4- phenotype are generated. On the other hand, stimulation with a class II HLA genetic difference only gave rise to OKT4+ suppressor T cells. These effector cell populations which were maintained as "lines" by the addition of exogenous T cell growth factor (TCGF) and feeder cells, mediated antigen-specific suppression over a 6-8 week period during which they were assayed. The data reported here demonstrate that the phenotype of suppressor cells, generated in allogenic MLC, depends on the nature of the class of HLA antigen recognized as disparities in the suppressor-generating MLC. Moreover, both OKT8+4- and OKT4+ suppressors, obtained following stimulation with class I plus II or class II genetic disparities, respectively, appear to be specific for DR (or related class II product) antigens.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D010641:Phenotype; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007376:Interleukin-2