Helper and suppressor functions of human mononuclear cells depleted of antigen-binding T8+ cells.

We have utilized the antigen-binding function of a subset of T8+ cells to remove these cells in vitro from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This was carried out by treating the cells with streptococcal antigen (SA), monoclonal anti-SA antibody and complement. The concentration of SA binding to T8+ cells differs with the HLA-DR type of the cells: 1 ng SA binds to DRw6+ cells and elicits T helper activity, whereas 1000 ng SA elicits T suppressor activity, in an assay for antibody-forming cells. After depletion of the antigen-binding cells by the SA-specific complement-dependent killing technique, the helper function of the DRw6+ cells was lost but suppression was elicited not only by 1000 ng but also by 1 ng SA. Similarly, DRw6- cells which bind 1000 ng SA to elicit helper activity and 1 ng to elicit suppression, when depleted of the SA-binding cells, resulted in loss of helper activity but again, suppression could be elicited by both 1000 and 1 ng SA. We suggest that treatment of mononuclear cells with antigen, the specific antibody and complement removes the T8+ antigen-binding cells which present antigen to T helper cells and results in the loss of helper function. Suppressor function is however, not only retained with the original concentration of SA but also expressed with that required to elicit helper function in the untreated cells. These findings are consistent with our hypothesis that the antigen-binding and presenting T8+ cells also function as contrasuppressor cells. Thus, the T8+ subset of cells have a dual function, to present antigen and to activate T helper cell function, and to prevent suppressor cells from inhibiting the helper cells.