Induction and characterization of suppressor T cells and soluble factors with modified timothy grass pollen AgB.

Previous studies demonstrated that antigen B (AgB), a major antigen of timothy grass pollen, modified by photooxidation (Ox-AgB) does not react with rabbit, human, or mouse antibodies directed against AgB and does not induce antibodies reactive with either native or modified AgB. However, immunization of mice with Ox-AgB in alum induces significant T helper cell activity. In this review, we describe the conditions and kinetics for Ox-AgB induction of T suppressor cells, the secretion of AgB-specific T suppressor factor (TSF), and the partial purification of AgB-specific TSF.