Demonstration of T15 idiotype-positive effector and suppressor T cells for phosphorylcholine-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity response in CBA/N or (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 male mice.

Subcutaneous immunization of CBA/N or (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 (NBF1) male mice, which were defective in phosphorylcholine (PC)-specific humoral antibody response, with PC-conjugated syngeneic spleen cells induced a PC-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, while intravenous administration of the same cells induced PC-specific suppressor T cells for the DTH response. Treatment of PC-specific effector or suppressor T cells for the DTH response induced in NBF1 male mice with anti-T15 idiotypic antibody inactivated effector or suppressor functions of these T cells implying that PC-specific T cells in NBF1 mice expressed T15 idiotypic determinants on their surface. Enrichment of PC-specific suppressor T cells was also shown by employing anti-T15 antibody-coated dishes.