Regulatory role of T suppressor cells on natural and induced humoral anti-tumor reactivity of C57BL/6J mice
Colnaghi, M.I.; Ménard, S.
Journal of Immunology 124(6): 2530-2535
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 6966292 Document Number: 168162
C57BL/6J (B6) mice showed a natural humoral complement- (C) dependent cytotoxic anti-tumor reactivity starting at 6 mo. of age. A reverse relationship was found between spleen stimulation by PHA . In vitro experiments confirmed the in vivo results, in that spleen cells from young unresponsive mice inhibited the in vitro antibody production by spleen cells from old mice, and the inhibition was abrogated or lowered by a treatment of the inhibiting cells with an anti-Thy-1 or an anti-Ly-2.2 antiserum and C. When colchicine or cyclohosphamide, known to interfere with the activity of T-suppressor cells, was administered to 3 mo. old unresponsive mice on the same day in which they were stimulated with blocked tumor cells, 53-60% of the mice became responsive, whereas an overall 6% responsive mice were found in control groups. T-suppressor cells, which exert a negative control on the production of natural antibodies, are present in the spleen of unresponsive mice.