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In vitro suppression of spontaneous erythrocyte autoimmune responses with lymphocytes activated with concanavalin A

Journal Article · · J. Immunol.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6434067

When normal mouse spleen cells are cultured in vitro, large numbers of cells develop that produce antibody toward antigens found on bromelain-treated mouse erythrocytes (BrMRBC). The in vitro culture also generates T cells that mediate DTH toward these antigens. We have suggested that under in vivo conditions, suppressor T cells maintain these immune responses at a low level but that this suppression wanes when the cells are cultured in vitro. The present study examines the effect of concanavalin A (Con A) on the in vitro development of humoral and cell-mediated immunity to BrMRBC. Mitogenic concentrations of Con A prevented the development of both the PFC and T/sub DTH/ responses toward BrMRBC. The Con A-induced suppression was due to the induction of suppressor T cells; thus the addition of Con A-activated cells to fresh spleen cell cultures prevented the development of both the PFC and T/sub DTH/ response against BrMRBC.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
OSTI ID:
6434067
Journal Information:
J. Immunol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Immunol.; (United States) Vol. 122:1; ISSN JOIMA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English