T cell help in cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. Role of the I region in helper cell induction.
We have studied the in vivo induction of T helper (TH) cells that participate in the generation of cytotoxic T (TC) lymphocytes. Helper activity was measured by the ability of the cells to help resting thymic TC cell precursors develop into effector TC cells in vitro. Direct injection of allogeneic spleen cells into the footpads of mice led to the generation of alloantigen-specific helper cells in the draining popliteal lymph nodes within 4 to 6 days. Helper activity was mediated by nylon-wool-nonadherent Lyt-1+ T lymphocytes; some activity was associated with Lyt-1,2+ cells. The genetic requirements for both the induction and restimulation of C3H anti-H-2d TH cells were investigated using cells from H-2k/H-2d recombinant mice as in vivo immunogens and in vitro stimulators. Evidence is presented that shows in a direct assay that TH cells themselves are specific for I region-coded determinants. Thus, disparity at the left side of the H-2 complex (K to I-E) but not at H-2K alone was necessary and sufficient to induce and reactivate TH cells. Proliferation in mixed lymphocyte culture was measured in combinations in which TH cells were not detectable, supporting the idea that proliferation cannot be strictly considered a measurement of helper cells.
D000818:Animals; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
D006183:H-2 Antigens