Recognition of antigens by T lymphocytes

Abstract

The present review briefly summarizes our knowledge of antigen-specific B and T lymphocyte receptors. Antigen-specific receptors on mammalian B lymphocytes are mainly monomeric IgM and IgD consisting of conventional immunoglobulin heavy and light chains. The nature of the T lymphocyte receptor which can specifically recognize antigens is not yet fully defined. However, it seems that conventional light chains do not participate in the build up of this receptor, and that the receptor is made up of heavy chains of a new immunoglobulin class which has to be further characterized and which we call Tau-chain. The variable region of the T lymphocyte receptors share idiotypic determinants with the corresponding B lymphocyte receptors. The possible linkage between the T cell idiotypes present on the Tau-chains and molecules which are under the control of genes of the Major Histocompatibility Complex of the species are discussed. In the last part of the review two methods for the induction of specific transplantation tolerance in adult animals are described. These methods are based on the concept that T lymphocytes reactive against alloantigens bear idiotypic determinants against which a specific auto-immune response can be initiated.

T cell‐mediated immunity to oncornavirus‐induced tumors IV. Preliminary evidence for a specific suppression of anti‐Moloney cell‐mediated immune response by autoimmune T cells

“…In contrast to the results of Binz and Wigzell [9] obtained in their allogeneic system, we failed to suppress cytolysis at the effector stage. In addition, we were not able to stimulate MSV regressor spleens with irradiated autoimmune lymphocytes used as antigen stimulus (data not shown).…”

“…T cells from the autoimmune B 6 mice were tested (a) in vitro for their cytolytic activity after syngeneic and allogeneic stimulations, for their inhibiting activity on the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) generation from MSV-regressor lymphocytes and for their stimulating activity in a secondary MLTC: they were irradiated with 2500 rd and used as antigen stimulus; (b) in vivo for their suppressive activity: 20 x lo6 to 30 x 106 autoimmune T cells were transferred to syngeneic adult mice previously irradiated at 100 rd to ensure a more efficient take of the transferred cells [9]. The effect of this transfer was tested by inoculating the mice, either with MSV (syngeneic tumor) or with LSTRA (allogeneic tumor).…”

“…To answer this question, we attempted to induce Ts cells by hyperimmunization with anti-murine sarcoma virus (MSV) T blasts. Using this procedure, Binz and Wigzell obtained in an allogeneic system the induction of anti-idiotype T cells, acting as specific Ts cells of the anti-H-2 immune response [9]. More recently, Flood et al [17] described an autologous anti-idiotype immunity in a tumor induced by UV light.…”

Suppression of tumor rejection by autologous anti-idiotypic immunity

“…An anti-idiotypic immune response is directed against antigenic determinants on an individual's own immunoglobulin or T cell receptors. In selected nontumor systems, anti-idiotypic immunity has been shown to regulate effectively and specifically the immune responses of the lymphocyte clones expressing the idiotype (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). However, little is known about possible influences of such immunity on the regulation of tumor-specific immunity and tumor growth.…”

“…The induction of anti-idiotypic immunity by immunization with syngeneic alloantigen-specific T lymphoblasts has recently been described (7)(8)(9)(10)18 -to-target cell ratio). In contrast, spleen cells from the same animal, but stimulated with 1316 tumor cells in a primary MLTC, showed significant lysis of 1316 tumor cells (>25% specific lysis at a 100:1 effector-to-target cell ratio).…”