Stimulation with specific antigen can block superantigen-mediated deletion of T cells in vivo.
The T-cell response to pigeon cytochrome c peptide, residues 88-104 (pcytC), in B10.BR mice is mediated largely by cells bearing both V beta 3 and V alpha 11 variable regions of the T-cell antigen receptor. These cells are, therefore, reactive with the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA). Recent reports have shown that in vivo exposure to superantigen can lead to deletion of superantigen-reactive T cells from the pool of mature T cells in the periphery. Here we show that upon cotreatment of animals with both SEA and pcytC, bulk deletion of the population of SEA-reactive cells is maintained, while the subpopulation of SEA-reactive T cells that also responds to pcytC is not deleted but instead proliferates in response to pcytC. These results are discussed with regard to mechanisms regulating the balance between T-cell tolerance and T-cell activation in vivo.
McCormack
J E
JE
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80206.
Kappler
J
J
Marrack
P
P
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D010856:Columbidae; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010641:Phenotype; D018089:Superantigens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination
D000941:Antigens; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D004768:Enterotoxins; D018089:Superantigens; C026066:enterotoxin A, Staphylococcal