Nonspecific inhibitor of DNA synthesis elaborated by T-acceptor cells: II. Requirements for its production and action

Abstract

The production of a nonspecific inhibitor of DNA synthesis (nsINH) appears to be one of the final events in the T-suppressor cell circuit in mice exposed to contact sensitizers. We report here that: (1) The nsINH suppresses the proliferative response to a polyclonal T-cell mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A), regardless of the dose of Con A used. It also suppresses DNA synthesis in lymphoid cells stimulated with alloantigens. This suppression can be completely eliminated by adding exogenous interleukin 2 (IL-2). (2) DNA synthesis in lymphoid cells exposed to nsINH before the proliferative stimulus is uninfluenced so that activation of the lymphoid cells at the same time as exposure to nsINH seems to be a requirement for its action. (3) Since the activity of nsINH can be absorbed by activated Lyt-1 + or Lyt-2 2+ lymphocytes, the early activated T cell appears to be a target of the action of nsINH. (4) The production of nsINH is abolished or severely reduced by adult thymectomy. (5) Natural killer (NK) cells are resistant to nsINH action and no interferon (IFN)-like activity can be demonstrated in nsINH preparation using a conventional assay for IFN.