An immunological suppressor cell inactivating cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursor cells recognizing it

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Abstract
The immune system does not normally react against self components. Originally, it was postulated that self-reactive cells were somehow deleted or blocked. More recent thinking is that such cells are suppressed by regulatory networks similar to those limiting the immune response against non-self determinants. Both mechanisms may exist. A type of suppression more closely related to the 1st postulate is described. In the in vitro 1-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), [mouse] cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor cells (CLP) from the responder population give rise to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CL) capable of lysing target cells from the stimulator population. A subpopulation of cells in the spleen of athymic nude mice can, when added to such cultures, inactivate CLP capable of recognizing the H-2 antigens on TNP [trinitrophenyl] modifications of the nude spleen. Regarding the nude spleen cells, activation of self-reactive cells is being prevented.