The Role of Receptors for T Cell Products in Antibody Formation

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Abstract
Immunocompetent cell interactions are achieved via direct contact between functionally different cell types or via interactions between soluble factors elaborated by regulatory T cells and specific receptors on responding cells for the T cell factors. In either case, there exist certain restrictions with respect to the effective interactions, which depend on the state of differentiation and genetic background of the responding cell type. Such restrictions are considered to be mainly determined by the development and nature of the receptor site on responding cell types for different T cell factors, which is now refered to the “acceptor” for the T cell factors. The presence of such acceptor sites on different populations of both T and B cells has been demonstrated in various experimental systems, and they are now considered to be the site by which responding cells receive appropriate signal for destination of their further differentiation. We have tried to review the nature and possible role of acceptor sites on both B and T cells for different T cell factors with respect to the induction and regulation of immune responses. A special emphasis was put on the genetic nature of the acceptor site. The observed genetic restrictions in the acceptance of T cell factors by responding cells suggest that such restrictions are needed for meaningful and unmistakable communications between funcionally different immunocompetent cells. Furthermore, the presence or absence of acceptor sites for certain T cell factors is supposed to be a very important factor for determination of the immune responsiveness of animals against certain antigens, and thus in some cases the Ir gene effect may predominantly affect the expression of acceptor site. Possible implications of acceptor site in the regulation of antibody response and in the network of immunocompetent cell interactions are discussed.