Stimulation of different pathways of T-cell functions by syngeneic tumor cells and soluble membrane proteins.

Cells from the draining lymph nodes of DBA/2 mice bearing syngeneic intradermal P-815 tumors represent an excellent responding cell population for secondary stimulation in vitro, despite the virtual absence of response by spleen cells of the same animals. Cytotoxicity is a result of stimulation with intact mitomycin-treated tumor cells. Isolated tumor cell membranes, in the form of small vesicles, stimulated cytotoxicity to a very limited extent and inhibited the development of cytotoxic T lymphocytes over a wide range of concentrations. Membrane proteins solubilized with deoxycholate and papain had only a suppressive effect. Soluble proteins exerted their effect during the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and were ineffective when present during the effector phase of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The suppressive capacity was shown to reside in a cell population which was sensitive to treatment with monoclonal Lyt-2.1 antibody and complement but not with Lyt-1.1 antibody. This phenotype was compatible with a specific rather than a promiscuous type of suppressor effector cell.