Hapten-specific responses to the phenyltrimethylamino hapten. IV. Occurrence of mechanistically distinct idiotypic suppressor T cells before the appearance of anti-idiotypic suppressor T cells induced by the monovalent antigen L-tyrosine-p-azophenyltrimethylammonium.

We have previously shown that a single i.p. injection of the monovalent synthetic antigen, L-tyrosine-p-azophenyltrimethylammonium [tyr(TMA)] in complete Freund's adjuvant induces an anti-idiotypic T suppressor cell (Ts2) population that can be detected 6 wk later by its ability to shut down delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) specific for the TMA hapten. In this paper we present evidence that 2 wk after tyr(TMA) administration, a subset of Ts, termed Ts1, appears that is both functionally and phenotypically distinct from the late appearing Ts2 population. The early occurring Ts1 act only at the induction phase of the DTH response and can also suppress this response intrinsically. This latter point is in marked contrast to our previous observation that the tyr(TMA)-induced anti-idiotypic Ts2 fail to function intrinsically and can only be detected upon adoptive transfer into naive mice. Ts1 bear idiotypic receptors and are Ly-1+,2- in contrast to the anti-idiotypic Ly-1-,2+ Ts2 population. In addition, unlike the Ts2 population, Ts1 are comparatively nylon wool-adherent. Adsorption of Ts1 on either antigen- or idiotype-coated petri dishes indicate that the suppressor activity can be transferred only by antigen-binding cells. Cellfree factors prepared from spleens containing the Ts1 population can suppress DTH only if administered at the induction phase of the response, in contrast to the factors derived from the Ts2 population that act both at induction as well as effector phases, suggesting that Ts1 and Ts2 can function via soluble mediators. Finally, we show that when Ts1-bearing mice are primed and boosted for anti-TMA antibody formation, the resulting response was overall reduced with respect to the idiotype-positive and negative plaque-forming cells that differs from the Ts2-bearing hosts wherein the idiotypic component is preferentially suppressed. The appearance of Ts1 before the detection of Ts2 in the same experimental animals is discussed with reference to a normal physiologic sequence of events involved in suppressor pathways.