REGULATION OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSE TO CELL SURFACE ANTIGENS

ABSTRACT Regulation of immune responses to the hapten azobenzenearsonate involves Lyt 1 + 2 − T cells in the induction of cell-mediated immunity and at least three subsets of suppressor T cells in the suppression of immunity. Suppression is regulated through a series of idiotype-anti-idiotype and I-J mediated events. Lyt 1 + 2 − T cells also play a critical role in the induction of immunity in the S1509a fibrosarcoma. Suppression in this system is mediated through at least two sets of suppressor T cells and can be enhanced or inhibited by alloantiserum directed at I-A or I-J gene products. In vitro suppression of mouse myeloma antibody production can be mediated by two subsets of anti-idiotype suppressor T cells or by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Regulation of myeloma by the suppressor cells and its potential clinical importance are discussed.