The identification of suppressor cells in the murine fetal liver.
Fetal suppressor cells are potentially important for maintenance of pregnancy and for the immune regulation of the identification of self. We have identified and partially characterized a population of murine fetal liver cells which are active suppressors of a variety of immune responses, including mixed lymphocyte responses (MLR), responses to mitogens, and plaque-forming cell responses to heterologous erythrocytes. The suppression is non-H-2-restricted and can act via a factor. The cell is preactivated in fetal liver and may represent a T-cell precursor. The suppression of MLR is maximal (approximately 100%) if cells are added within the first 48 h of culture initiation. The characteristics of this suppressor cell are compared to other known MLR and perinatal suppressor systems.
D000818:Animals; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002469:Cell Separation; D000939:Epitopes; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000276:immunology*; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011247:Pregnancy; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D006183:H-2 Antigens