A Nisonoff

ANTIGEN AND RECEPTOR STIMULATED REGULATION. THE RELATIONSHIP OF IDIOTYPE AND MHC PRODUCTS TO REGULATORY NETWORKS

ABSTRACT Antigen-specific suppressor thymus-derived (T) cells (T s ) are generated in A/J mice by the intravenous administration of azobenzenearsonate modified A/J spleen cells (ABA-spl). Discrete subcellular proteins have been obtained from ABA-specific suppressor T cells which can limit the in vivo development of ABA-specific DTH in A/J. Immunochemical analysis of such molecules has established that T s suppressor factor (T S F) bear H-2 encoded structures and determinants recognized by anti-idiotypic antibody. Furthermore all strains of mice tested produce ABA-specific T s after i.v. immunization with syngeneic ABA-spl. However, only the A strain or the allotype congenic C.AL-20 produces antibody with the cross-reactive idiotype (CRI) and the idiotype bearing T S F. B10.A (H-2 a ) which can make T S F active in B10.A, produces T S F which do not bear cross-reactive idiotypic determinants. ABA T s F, derived from T s , when administered to naive mice stimulates the development of T s2 capable of inhibiting ABA DTH. Furthermore, antibodies with CRI, when coupled to lymphocytes and administered intravenously, stimulate the development of specific T s . Anti CRI passively administered also was found to elicit T s capable of inhibiting the DTH reaction to ABA in A/J mice.