Effect of in Vivo Exposure to Allogeneic Cells upon Subsequent in Vitro T Cell Responses and upon Allograft Rejection

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Abstract
The effect of i.v. injection of 108 BALB/c spleen cells into C57Bl/6J recipients was assayed by mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) of recipient lymphocytes, and by grafting donor (BALB/c) thyroids into recipient mice. A single i.v. injection produced depression of proliferative and cytotoxic T [thymus-derived] cell responses in MLC of spleen, lymph node and peripheral blood lymphocytes of the recipients. This effect was specific for the sensitizing genotype (MLC of recipient and 3rd-party CBA/H lymphocytes was unaffected), and persisted for several days after sensitization. The pattern of this diminished response suggested that the effect was due to a combination of recruitment of reactive lymphocytes from peripheral lymphoid populations, and the generation of alloantigen (H-2?)-specific suppressor T cells in the spleen. In contrast to these findings in vitro, a similar sensitization led only to accelerated rejection of thyroid allografts in vivo.