ACTIVATION OF GUINEA-PIG LYMPHOCYTES-T BY ANTI-BETA-2-MICROGLOBULIN SERUM

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 122  (4) , 1427-1432
Abstract
To study the role of .beta.2-m [.beta.2-microglobulin] in the regulation of the immune response, the effects of a goat anti-guinea pig .beta.2-m serum on a number of T [thymus-derived] lymphocyte functions were examined in vitro. Anti-.beta.2-m serum produced a marked inhibition of the response of peritoneal exudate T cells to antigen [Ag] and mitogen stimulation. A marked activation of lymph node T lymphocyte proliferation was observed in the absence of Ag or mitogen stimulation. This stimulatory effect of anti-.beta.2-m serum was specific for .beta.2-m and required the presence of macrophages. The T cell proliferative response induced by anti-.beta.2-m could not be blocked by antisera to the Ag of the guinea pig MHC [major histocompatibility complex]. These studies suggest that .beta.2-m may play some critical role in the immune response at the level of T cell activation.

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