A Splenic Requirement for the Generation of Suppressor T Cells

Abstract

Tolerance to contact sensitization with DNFB may be induced by DNBSO₃. This specific unresponsiveness may occur via one or both of two mechanisms — production of suppressor T cells or clone inhibition. We investigated the role of the spleen in this unresponsiveness. Splenectomized mice may be tolerized by i.v. injection of DNBSO₃, but they are incapable of serving as donors of lymph node cells for transfer of tolerance to normal recipients. Kinetic studies indicated that the spleen must be present at least three days after tolerization in order to permit development of a significant number of suppressor cells in the peripheral lymph nodes. We interpret these results to indicate that 1) clone inhibition does not require the spleen, 2) the generation of suppressor T cells is dependent on the presence of the spleen, and 3) it is likely that tolerogens in this system induce suppressor cells in the spleen and some of these cells or their products leave the spleen to reach the peripheral lymph nodes.