In Vitro Induction of Specific T Cells Able to Help in the Generation of Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity by Thymus-Dependent and Type-II 'Thymus-Independent' Antigens

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Abstract
An in vitro system is described which supports the primary induction of T cells able to help in the induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity. This system is used to demonstrate that hapten-Ficoll conjugates induce potent hapten-specific T cells with this function. These type-II ''thymus-independent'' antigens are thus able to induce specific regulatory T cells. These helper T cells are similar to those induced by classical thymus-dependent antigens in that they are specific for antigen rather than idiotype and act by a linked mechanism.