Concentration-dependent effects of mycobacteria on the stimulation of murine T-cell clones
Kingston, A.E.; Colston, M.J.
Acta Leprologica 2(2-4): 369-377
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5938 PMID: 6398595 Document Number: 231696
M. leprae produced concentration-dependent bimodal effects in cultures of M. leprae-immune lymphocytes. At low to intermediate concentrations, M. leprae and other species of mycobacteria stimulated lymphoproliferation of M. Leprae T-helper cell clones, whereas at high concentrations responses were reduced. Lymphokine production by M. leprae-immune T-cell hybridomas also showed bimodal responses to different concentrations of M. leprae. These results indicate that mycobacterial antigen may directly induce tolerance of responsing lymphocytes.