PERITONEAL-EXUDATE LYMPHOCYTES-T WITH SPECIFICITY TO SHEEP RED BLOOD-CELLS .1. PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION AS TO FUNCTION AND PHENOTYPE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (4) , 691-698
Abstract
T [thymus-derived] lymphocytes which mediate DTH [delayed-type hypersensitivity] reactions to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in mice enter casein-induced peritoneal exudates from which they can be recovered and assayed in a passive transfer system. Peritoneal exudates need not contain specific antigen for inducement of T cell immigration. The amount (or biological activity) of DTH-transferring peritoneal exudate lymphocytes is enhanced by the previous use of immune modulating agents, such as cyclophosphamide (Cy) (200 mg/kg 2 days prior to sensitization) or BCG (107 live organisms i.v. 14 days prior to sensitization). SRBC-specific peritoneal exudate lymphocytes phenotypically are Thy 1+ and Ly 1+, 2-. In vivo, peritoneal exudate T cells from Cy-modulated donors persist in circulation for a short period only and are subject to the suppressive mechanisms acting in anergic mice. Cells from BCG-plus-Cy-modulated donors persist in circulation for a longer period and appear less susceptible to immune suppression.