Cellular interaction between subsets of T8 population for maximal suppression of antigen-specific antibody response.

The characterization of human keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-specific T8 suppressor cell (T8 KLH) generated in vitro with high doses of antigen by using peripheral blood lymphocytes is described. The cellular basis for the generation of specific suppressor-effector functions was examined and it was shown that radioresistant T8 KLH cells could induce a second set of radiosensitive suppressor-effector cells found in a freshly isolated T8 population. Moreover, the T8 KLH population could be divided into T8 KLH TQ1+ and T8 KLH TQ1- subsets. Both subsets were required for maximal suppression of the anti-DNP antibody response, since neither subset alone induced more than minimal suppression. These results demonstrated that several functionally distinct T8 subpopulations of cells exist, and it is suggested that further resolution of these complex immunological networks in man will be facilitated by the development of unique reagents capable of defining the heterogeneity of the cells involved in suppressor functions.