Concanavalin A induces suppressor cell activity in both T gamma and T non-gamma cells: most of the suppressor cells do not carry HLA-DR antigens.

Concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation of T lymphocytes for 48 h induced a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of T gamma cells, and proliferation of these cells was dependent on pre-existing T gamma cells. Con A stimulation also induced a dose-dependent increase in suppressor cell activity as measured in a Con A/mixed lymphocyte culture assay. Removal of T gamma cells before stimulation with Con A did not influence suppressor cell activity, whereas depletion of T gamma cells after Con A stimulation significantly reduced the suppression. Treatment of T lymphocytes with monoclonal anti-HLA-DR antibodies and complement significantly increased the percentage of T gamma cells and also increased the suppressor cell activity, both when the cells were treated before and when they were treated after Con A stimulation. Similarly, increased suppressor cell activity was also seen when T mu cells were removed. The results indicate that Con-A-induced suppressor cells are recruited from both T gamma and T non-gamma cells and also suggest that most of the Con-A-induced suppressor cell activity is exerted by HLA-DR-negative cells.