Ia determinants on stimulated human T lymphocytes. Occurrence on mitogen- and antigen-activated T cells

J Exp Med. 1979 Aug 1;150(2):246-55. doi: 10.1084/jem.150.2.246.

Abstract

Human T-cell blasts were generated by stimulation with mitogens and antigens. A proportion of these blasts expressed Ia antigens detectable by immunofluorescence with both allo- and hetero-antiserums. The maximal expression of Ia antigens was delayed and usually occurred after the peak of blastogenesis. Among the three mitogens used, pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was most effective in giving a high percentage and intense Ia staining of T-cell blasts. Phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A blasts gave weaker and lower percentages of Ia staining. Activation by alloantigens and soluble antigens such as tetanus toxoid and purified protein derivative resulted in Ia expression on T cells comparable to PWM stimulation. Depletion of Ia+ cells from freshly isolated T cells with anti-Ia and complement decreased subsequent Ia expression, suggesting that a proportion of Ia+ blasts were derived from Ia-bearing peripheral blood T cells. When the specificities of the Ia antigens on T-cell blasts were examined with alloantiserums, it was evident that the T blasts expressed similar HLA-DR determinants to those on B cells from the same donor; occasional minor differences between stimulated T cells and autologous B-cell lines or fresh B cells were encountered.

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epitopes*
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera
  • Isoantigens / analysis*
  • Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed
  • Mitogens
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Tetanus Toxoid

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • Immune Sera
  • Isoantigens
  • Mitogens
  • Tetanus Toxoid