Activation of leukemic pro-suppressor cells to become suppressor-effector cells. Influence of cooperating normal T cells.
We studied the suppressor activity and surface-membrane antigens of immunoregulatory neoplastic T cells from a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and hypogammaglobulinemia. The neoplastic T cells were potent inhibitors of immunoglobulin production by pokeweed-mitogen-stimulated normal B cells when radiosensitive cooperative normal T cells were present. Preculturing the leukemic cells with normal T cells or soluble factors allowed them to mediate suppression without the need for cooperating T cells. While acquiring new functional capabilities, approximately 95 per cent of the leukemic cells displayed an antigen (OKT-3) that is found on mature normal T cells; 77 per cent displayed an antigen (Tac) that is found on normal activated immunoregulatory effector cells but not on thymocytes or circulating T cells that are precursors of these effector cells. The results suggest that a population of leukemic prosuppressor cells can be induced to undergo both functional and antigenic differentiation by the influence of normal T cells.
D000361:Agammaglobulinemia / Q000150:complications; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007223:Infant; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D007136:Immunoglobulins