INHIBITION OF ANTIBODY-RESPONSES BY CELLS FROM MICE TREATED WITH PICRYL SULFONIC-ACID

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 32  (5) , 743-750
Abstract
Cells from mice inoculated with picryl sulfonic acid (PSA cells), which contain suppressor T [thymus-derived] cells for contact sensitivity to picryl chloride, were examined for their ability to alter antibody responses of normal mice. These cells did not influence antibody or plaque-forming cell (PFC) production accompanying contact sensitivity reactions produced by painting with picryl chloride but reduced Ig[immunoglobulin]G antibody and indirect PFC responses to conjugates of trinitrophenyl (TNP) bovine serum albumin and ovalbumin. IgG responses to TNP or new antigenic determinants of TNP-mouse serum albumin were not affected by PSA cells. The PSA cells required several weeks to produce reductions of responses and only reduced responses to optimal doses of antigen. When the injection of antigen was delayed until several weeks after the injection of PSA cells, rapid reductions of responses were found but these were short-lived. The inhibition was specific for TNP proteins although responses to hapten and carrier were reduced. The inhibition was apparently mediated by an adherent macrophage-like cell rather than a T cell. The inhibitory activity was resistant to irradiation and anti-.theta. treatment but was removed by glutaraldehyde treatment and cotton wool filtration.