Hapten-specific T cell responses to 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl. XIII. Characterization of a third T cell population involved in suppression of in vitro PFC responses
Sherr, D.H.; Dorf, M.E.
Journal of Immunology 128(3): 1260-1266
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 6173430 Document Number: 188404
The involvement of a third-order suppressor T cell population (Ts3) in the suppression of in vitro PFC responses was analyzed. It was shown that Ts2 effector-phase suppressor cells, induced by the i.v. injection of NP-coupled syngeneic spleen cells, require a third suppressor T cell population to effect NPb idiotype-specific suppression of an in vitro B cell response. This Ts3 population was shown to be present in NP-primed but not unprimed donors. The Ts3 population specifically binds NP and is Lyt-1-, Lyt-2+, I-J+ and bears NPb idiotypic determinants. The involvement of the Ts3 population in a suppressor pathway that requires recognition of idiotypic determinants is discussed.