Suppressor Cells and the Handling of Antigen

Depression of Lymph Node Cell Proliferation Induced by Oxazolone

“…The proliferative activity of draining auricular lymph nodes was determined 3 days following challenge. A representative experi ment is illustrated in figure 5 and demonstrates that, although maximal contact sensitization required 72 h to develop following primary sensitization, systemic Although a number of previous reports have sug gested that the regulation of lymphocyte proliferative responses induced by topical exposure to chemicals is generally hapten-specific [6], there exist data which argue for at least limited antigenic cross-reactivity [2][3][4], To investigate further the specificity of the in duced depression of lymphocyte proliferation, experi ments were performed with oxazolone and the antigenically non-cross-reactive contact sensitizing chemi cal picryl chloride. Topical application of either chemical resulted in depression of auricular lymph node responses following ear challenge with oxazo lone or picryl chloride.…”

“…Potential immunoregulatory mechanisms in con tact sensitivity have been the subject of extensive in vestigation [6,7]. Most attention has focussed on the role of regulatory cells and in particular on that of suppressor T lymphocytes.…”

“…There have been a number of demonstrations that the proliferative response to at least some chemicals is ac tively regulated and that lymph node cells (LNC) iso lated from immunized mice will depress proliferation in recipient animals [2][3][4][5]. While depression of lym phocyte proliferative responses in contact sensitivity has, in most circumstances, been regarded as largely antigen-specific in nature [6], there are indications that in some instances non-specific effects may be ob served [2][3][4].…”

Regulation of Contact Sensitivity to Oxazolone by Lipopolysaccharide-Induced B Lymphocytes

“…Firstly, Turk and coworkers [13,15] recognized B sup pressor cells investigating the cause of the increase in delayed and contact sensitivity caused by pretreatment with CY. Further more, in contact sensitivity, Asherson and coworkers [2,19,20] demonstrated that lymph nodes and spleens of mice at later times (7-9 days) after painting contain CYsensitive B suppressor cells which block the passive transfer of contact sensitivity. Claman's recent experiments suggest that these suppressor cells act producing anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against the receptors on T effector cells [14], A similar suggestion was made by Koenig and Hoffman [9] who observed that LPS-activated spleen cells were able of actively suppressing in vitro antibody production.…”

“…both T and B suppressor cells [2,13,15]. Both LPS-treated and untreated sensitized littermates were inoculated with CY 48 h before the sensitization.…”