Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol 147, 233-250, Copyright © 1978 by Rockefeller University Press
Immunological T-cell memory in the in vitro-induced experimental autoimmune orchitis: specificity of the reaction and tissue distribution of the autoantigens
H Wekerle
Immunological memory has been induced in vitro against testicular
autoantigens by priming normal rat T lymphocytes against autologous testis
cells, and by permitting the isolated blast cells to revert back to small
secondary lymphocytes (secondary EAO cells) in the absence of the priming
antigen. The secondary EAO cells vigorously respond in a secondary response
when reconfronted with syngeneic testis or lymphoid cells. Their
responsiveness to nonself stimulator cells is, however, reduced. Secondary
cells derived from concanavalin A-stimulated blasts, do not show that
pattern of specificity. The specificity of the secondary EAO cells is
definite, and cannot be affected by further culture on allogeneic
fibroblasts, which are antigenic for unprimed T lymphocytes. At least part
of the autoantigens are determined by the major histocompatibility gene
complex (MHC). Factors provided by the culture system do not appear to
determine the specificity of this reaction. Only minor cell populations can
restimulate secondary EAO cells. One of these populations is presumably
phage-like cells within the lymphoid populations can elicit a secondary EAO
response. Thus, the autoantigens relevant in the secondary EAO response are
either MHC antigens restricted to these testicular and lymphoid
subpopulations, or MHC antigens recognized in conjunction with
organ-specific non-MHC determinants.
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