Demonstration of T15 idiotype‐positive effector and suppressor T cells for phosphorylcholine‐specific delayed‐type hypersensitivity response in CBA/N or (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 male mice

Abstract

Subcutaneous immunization of CBA/N or (CBA/N x BALB/c)F₁ (NBF₁) male mice, which were defective in phosphorylcholine (PC)‐specific humoral antibody response, with PC‐conjugated syngeneic spleen cells induced a PC‐specific delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, while intravenous administration of the same cells induced PC‐specific suppressor T cells for the DTH response. Treatment of PC‐specific effector or suppressor T cells for the DTH response induced in NBF₁ male mice with anti‐T15 idiotypic antibody inactivated effector or suppressor functions of these T cells implying that PC‐specific T cells in NBF₁ mice expressed T15 idiotypic determinants on their surface. Enrichment of PC‐specific suppressor T cells was also shown by employing anti‐T15 antibody‐coated dishes.