Cellular consequences in the suppression of antibody response by the antigen-specific T-cell factor

Cellular events mediated by antigen-specific soluble factor extracted from carrier-primed suppressor T cells (TsF) in the suppressive interaction was studied. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-specific TsF directly acts on KLH-primed, I-J positive, nylon-wool-adherent T cells that have an acceptor site for TsF. The nylon-wool-adherent T cells, after accepting TsF in the presence of specific antigen, generate new suppressor T cells acting as an actual effector cell type. Antigen-specificity and syngeneity at I-J between TsF and acceptor T cells are both required for the induction of new suppressor T cells. Newly induced suppressor T cells, however, suppress both syngeneic and allogeneic responses in an antigen-nonspecific fashion.