Serological Inhibition of Blast Transformation to Purified Streptococcal Antigens by Planned Immunization in HLA (A, B) Compatible Unrelated Individuals

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Abstract
Sera obtained from planned immunizations between unrelated donors and recipients, identical or compatible at HLA-A and B, were assessed for their capacity to alter the in vitro response of a test panel of lymphocytes to PHA [phytohemagglutinin] and a purified streptococcal antigen (PSA). In the case of PHA, no serum effects were apparent. The response to PSA was significantly inhibited by 2 sera. When tested for their complement-dependent cytotoxicity on enriched populations of T [thymus-derived] and B [bone marrow-derived] lymphocytes, none of the sera manifested cytotoxicity against T cells nor did serological inhibition correlate with the capacity to lyse B cells. Inhibition of the PSA response is apparently mediated by blocking antibodies specific for a subset of lymphocytes, possibly T cells. While the precise mechanism governing the response to PSA is not known, an HLA-linked Ir [immune response] gene, expressed on a subset of T lymphocytes, may control immune responsiveness to PSA.