CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells are required for the induction of oral tolerance.
It has been suggested that oral tolerance is mediated by CD8+ T lymphocytes, but the functional properties of these cells are unclear. Here we show that the induction of tolerance by feeding mice ovalbumin (OVA) does not prime antigen-specific class I MHC-restricted cytotoxic T cells in vivo. Indeed, such responses are markedly suppressed in mice fed OVA, and the induction of oral tolerance is abolished by depletion in vivo of CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells. These results indicate that CD8+ lymphocytes are unlikely to play a major role in the induction of oral tolerance and are the first demonstration that specific cytotoxic responses to an exogenous antigen can be suppressed by feeding antigen.
Garside
P
P
Department of Immunology, Western Infirmary, University of Glasgow, UK.
Steel
M
M
Liew
F Y
FY
Mowat
A M
AM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D010047:Ovalbumin