Evidence that changes in expression of major histocompatibility complex antigens may underlie the immunosuppressive effect of heat-treated cells in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract

The prior transfusion of heat-treated (60 degrees C for 1 hr) allogeneic spleen cells is known to bring about specific prolongation of the survival of subsequent donor strain heart allografts. In this communication we show that some polymorphic and monomorphic class 1 determinants on spleen cells are heat denatured so that they no longer provoke antibody formation in naive allogeneic hosts. By contrast, the heated cells remain able to provoke the formation of anti-class 2 antibodies. When measured in a binding assay, the levels of anti-class 2 antibodies are similar irrespective of whether the immunizing inoculum consists of normal or heated cells. In a cytotoxic assay, the antibodies produced following exposure to normal cells are cytotoxic; this activity is substantially reduced when the cellular immunizing inoculum is heated. Cells heated to 60 degrees C for 1 hr are unable to stimulate in a mixed lymphocyte reaction, but reactivity can be partially restored by the addition of exogenous IL-2 to the culture. From previous evidence it seems unlikely that suppressor cells play a major role in the immunosuppression effected by cells heated to 60 degrees C. The results presented in this communication suggest a possible role for anticlass 2 antibodies and also imply the defective production of a costimulatory signal that normally follows the presentation of allogeneic MHC antigens.