IN VITRO REGULATION OF HUMAN T LYMPHOCYTE IMMUNE RESPONSES BY ADHERENT CELLS

Abstract

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) alloantigens are unexpectedly weak compared to the CTL response to influenza virus. Allogeneic CTL activity was increased dramatically by removal of Leu M3+ cells by using adherence and phagocytic properties of the macrophage/monocyte cell type. The Leu M3+ enriched population was capable of suppressing the allogeneic CTL response generated by adherent-depleted PBL. Pre-cultured cells suppressed both allogeneic and influenza virus-specific CTL responses. Influenza virus infection ameliorated the suppression through an unknown mechanism.