title: Presence of host-reactive T cells in lymphohaematopoietic chimeras.
abstract: The presence of autoreactive lymphocytes was investigated in murine lymphohaematopoietic chimeras. In this report we demonstrate the presence of precursors of host-reactive cytotoxic effector T lymphocytes in parent leads to F1 chimeras. Lymphocytes from these chimeras display cytotoxic activity towards the non-shared major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens of the host following activation with the polyclonal T-cell activator concanavalin A. These host-reactive cells were found despite the apparent absence of lymphocytes demonstrating autoreactivity in other experimental systems: mixed lymphocyte reaction, cell-mediated lympholysis, positive allogeneic effect and negative allogeneic effect. Animals possessing precursors of these cytotoxic effector cells also possess precursors of cytotoxic effector cells capable of generating an MHC-restricted anti-minor histocompatibility antigen response. The results are discussed in reference to the role of the thymus in effecting self non-self discrimination.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011828:Radiation Chimera; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D003208:Concanavalin A