Activation of Distinct T Cell Subsets Involved in IgM Antibody Response of Mice by Pertussis Toxin from Bordetella pertussis Strain Maeno

Abstract
T cell activation mechanisms in the spleen induced by pertussis toxin (PT) were investigated. The degree of T cell activation was judged from results of helper activity assessed by measuring the in vitro anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP) IgM antibody response. When mice were injected intraperitoneally with 4 × 105 sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) and concomitantly given an intravenous injection with 10 µg of PT 4 days previously, significant generation of nonspecific helper T cells was observed unless primed T cells were stimulated in vitro with TNP-SRBC. Stimulation with TNP-SRBC resulted in marked suppression of helper activity because it induced generation of suppressor T cells specific for the carrier antigen.

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