Ia antigens on antigen-presenting cells do not carry the same Ia specificities as detected on suppressor and helper T cells

Scand J Immunol. 1981;13(4):353-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1981.tb00144.x.

Abstract

The passage of spleen cells through a tightly packed nylon wool column partially separated two populations of cells required for the antigen-induced secondary proliferative response of T cells. The proliferating T cells were in the nylon wool column-passed cell population, but the addition of a small number of nylon-wool-adherent cells was required for their maximal proliferative response. Such adherent cells were non-T, non-B, Ia antigen-positive cells serving as antigen-presenting cells. Ia determinants on this cell type are encoded in two separate I subregions, I-A and I-E/C, and they are expressed simultaneously on the same cells. Antisera specific for I-J subregion gene products having as a known activity the killing of antigen-specific suppressor and helper T cells were unable to kill antigen-presenting adherent cells. The results indicated that at least I-J subregion gene products expressed on suppressor and helper T cells are not present on antigen-presenting accessory cells. The Ia specificities detected on accessory cells follow the cross-reactive pattern found in Ia molecules of B cells, and thus antigen-presenting cells carry Ia antigen identical to those of B cells, and not those of T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Epitopes
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II