Hapten-specific T-cell responses to 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl. II. Demonstration of idiotypic determinants on suppressor T cells.

Abstract

The ability of NP[(4-hydroxyl-3-nitrophenyl) acetyl hapten]-coupled syngeneic spleen cells to induce antigen-specific T [thymus-derived] suppressor cells capable of binding to NP-BSA[bovine serum albumin]-coated Petri dishes and mediating transfer of specific suppressive activity to NP was demonstrated. In strains of mice bearing the Ig[immunoglobulin]-1b allotype, including SJL, and in (non-Ig-1b .times. Ig-1b)F1 hybrids, the NP-specific suppressor cell also interferes with expression of immunity after priming with NIP-BGG [(4-hydroxy-5-iodo-3-nitrophenyl) acetyl hapten-bovine .gamma. globulin]. Anti-NPb anti-idiotype antiserum plus complement treatment effectively abrogated the ability to transfer suppression. Formal genetic mapping of the fine specificity of cross-reactivity with Ig-1 allotypic congenic mice implies that expression of this trait is linked to the Ig-1b H chain linkage group. The sensitivity of NP-suppressor cells of appropriate strains to anti-idiotype treatment was also consistent with the formal mapping data. There are apparently shared V[variable]-region structures on antibody and T cells that are crucial in the suppression pathway for the same antigen.