Genetic Basis of Memory in Cell-Mediated Immune Response

Abstract

The role of LD [lymphocyte-determined] and SD [serologically-determined] antigens in terms of memory in cell-mediated immune response (CML) were studied. Using recombinants that differ for either the H-2K or H-2D determinants (SD-different) and other recombinants differing for the central region of H-2 (LD-different), this question was investigated. Priming to SD determinants leads to a more rapid and higher response when cells are restimulated in vitro with either the same SD antigen alone or the same SD plus an LD antigen and tested on target cells that possess either the SD antigen alone or both the LD and SD antigens. Antigens in the central regions of H-2, which includes LD, serve as the stimulus both for the helper T [thymus-derived) cells and for the cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Priming with a high dose of LD antigens leads to memory in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte recognizing the cytotoxic target antigens coded by the central region of H-2. Nevertheless, memory could not be detected when priming was done under the same conditions as for SD antigens. Moreover, a primed helper T-cell response does not facilitate the development of increased CML on restimulation in vitro with the LD antigen used for priming and a new SD antigen. Memory in CML may be in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte and not in the proliferating helper cells.