Unidirectional inhibition of early signal transduction of helper T cells by cloned suppressor T cells.

Early intercellular events occurring in cloned T helper (Th) cells following interaction with cloned T suppressor (Ts) cells were studied by stopped-flow fluorometry. It was found that the increase of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted Th clones induced by the stimulation with antigen and antigen-presenting cells (APC) is inhibited by the incubation with antigen-activated Ts clones. Optimal suppression required that the two cells recognize antigen on the same APC, although the restriction element for recognition could be different. There was an absolute requirement for recognition of the same antigen by these two cell types. The inhibitory effect was unidirectional in that Ts clones could inhibit the increase of [Ca2+]i of Th clones but not vice versa. Ts clones could not suppress the [Ca2+]i response of other Ts clones. If Th and Ts clones do not share the same MHC restriction specificity, a longer co-incubation time for activation of Ts is required for the inhibition of the [Ca2+]i response of the Th clone, suggesting the presence of a non-specific suppressive mediator that selectively acts on Th.