SUPPRESSOR T-CELLS FOR DELAYED-TYPE HYPERSENSITIVITY TO JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS-VIRUS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (3) , 395-402
Abstract
The delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and the suppressor cells controlling it and the antibody-forming cells in inbred Swiss mice were studied. JEV induces DTH, with a peak response at day 7 following infection which persists at low levels at least up to 119 days. Suppressor activity appeared on day 18. It was transferable by immune spleen cells. Treatment of spleen cells with anti-Thy-1.2 antisera and complement abrogated the suppressor activity. The homogenate of the spleen was equally effective in mediating suppression of DHT and the humoral response as measured by direct antibody plaque-forming cell (IgM-PFC) assay. The suppressor activity was antigen-specific both on DTH and T helper for antibody response as the immune responses against sheep red blood cells or coxsackie virus B4 were not suppressed. The suppressor cells were sensitive to cyclophosphamide treatment when the drug was given 48 h before their appearance. Evidently, in JEV infection of mice, antigen-specific suppressor T cells are generated, both for DTH and IgM antibody, which are cyclophosphamide-sensitive and mediate suppression through soluble product(s).