Cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone recognizing self idiotype: its regulatory role in antibody production.

MOPC 104E idiotype-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones were established. The clone KA1.02 specifically killed MOPC 104E cells and inhibited anti-dextran antibody production in an idiotype-specific manner. Both cytotoxicity and antibody inhibition were restricted to the cross-reactive idiotype and class I histocompatibility antigen. The data presented here provide definitive evidence that the self idiotype is the immunogenic determinant recognized by T lymphocytes in association with the major histocompatibility complex product. A regulatory role of CTL in antibody response is proposed.