Abstract
Thymus-derived lymphocytes (T cells) from mouse spleen, activated in vitro or in vivo with concanavalin A (Con A), suppress proliferative responses of syngenic lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR). Replication in vitro was not required for expression of suppressor activity by Con A-activated cells and was blocked in MLR by treating suppressor cells with mitomycin C or irradiation. Kinetics of MLR responses and viability of cultures were not altered by addition of activated suppressor cells. The data are consistent with a direct inhibitory effect of suppressor T cells on antigen-induced DNA replication. These observations extend a model previously described for regulation of antibody synthesis by Con A-activated T cells to control of cell-mediated immune responses. This model should be particularly useful in further definition of regulatory T cell subpopulations, and in investigation of interactions and relationships between such populations.
Footnotes
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↵1 This investigation was supported by Contract NO 1-AI-42529 and Research Grant HL-05435 from the United States Public Health Service and by The Methodist Hospital and The Veterans Administration Hospital, Houston, Texas.
- Received October 14, 1974.
- Copyright © 1975 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.
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