title: T-cell ontogeny: the role of a stimulator - suppressor cell.
abstract: The thymus presents two major problems in cellular differentiation. How is self-non-self discrimination achieved in developing thymocytes? What determines the development of T-cell classes? In this discussion, Alan Herbert and James Watson propose a mechanism for regulating T-cell differentiation which involves the alternative pathway of T-cell activation. They postulate that T cells with a stimulator-suppressor phenotype stimulate resting helper T cells (Th) to produce interleukin 2 (IL-2) and suppress T cells which have bound antigen through antigen-specific receptors by preventing induction of IL-2 receptors. Stimulator-suppressor T cells therefore suppress the clonal expansion of T cells in an antigen-specific manner, yet promote their own clonal expansion in a manner independent of antigen. They further suggest that the molecule responsible for suppression is the product of the γ genes known to rearrange in γ cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunobiology, University of Auckland, Private Bag Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Herbert
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Watson