FUNCTIONAL-DIFFERENTIATION OF T-CELL PRECURSORS .1. PARAMETERS OF CARRIER-SPECIFIC TOLERANCE IN MURINE HELPER T-CELL PRECURSORS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 123  (5) , 2083-2087
Abstract
Irradiated mice reconstituted with bone marrow from sheep .gamma.-globulin-(SGG) tolerant syngeneic donors display reduced Ig[immunoglobulin]G responsiveness to challenge with trinitrophenylated (TNP)-SGG compared with recipients of normal marrow. This effect is SGG-specific and is not due to suppressor T [thymus-derived] cells or to antigen carryover. Helper T cell precursor tolerance can be induced with as little as 40 .mu.g tolerogen (SGG). Unlike mature helper T cells, these precursors show a rapid induction and rapid waning patterns, suggesting a high rate of turnover. Apparently marrow helper T cell precursors bear antigen-specific receptors and the T cell repertoire must be at least partially generated before residence in the thymus.