Functional and molecular organisation of an antigen-specific suppressor factor from a T-cell hybridoma.
Thymus-dependent (T) lymphocytes have been shown to have antigen specificity. The antigen receptor on T lymphocytes, in contrast to that on B lymphocytes, does not appear to be of the conventional immunoglobulin (Ig) type. Studies on the antigen-specific factors derived from helper and suppressor T cells (Ts) demonstrated that they possess determinants with antigen binding affinity and products of genes in the H-2 complex (MHC). Furthermore, antibodies against the variable region of Ig heavy chains or idiotypes have been shown to react with T-cell antigen receptors as well as antigen-specific helper and suppressor T-cell factors (TsF). It is, therefore, conceivable that at least two gene products are involved in the structural entity of these receptors: one each coded for by genes in either. To establish the molecular nature of the recognition component of T cells we have used homogeneous TsF from a T-cell hybridoma with a specific function. We report here that the antigen binding and I-J coded molecules on TsF are independently synthesised in the cytoplasm, and are secreted as an associated form of the two molecules; this association is required for antigen-specific suppression of antibody response.
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006822:Hybrid Cells / Q000276:immunology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000276:immunology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D008222:Lymphokines