Concentration-dependent effects of mycobacteria on the stimulation of murine T-cell clones.
M. leprae produced concentration-dependent bimodal effects in cultures of M. leprae-immune lymphocytes. At low to intermediate concentrations, M. leprae and other species of mycobacteria stimulated lymphoproliferation of M. Leprae T-helper cell clones, whereas at high concentrations responses were reduced. Lymphokine production by M. leprae-immune T-cell hybridomas also showed bimodal responses to different concentrations of M. leprae. These results indicate that mycobacterial antigen may directly induce tolerance of responsing lymphocytes.
D000818:Animals; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016215:Macrophage-Activating Factors; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D007376:Interleukin-2; D008222:Lymphokines; D016215:Macrophage-Activating Factors; D013936:Thymidine