Specificity in T cell mediated lympholysis: identical genetic control of the proliferative and effector phases of allogeneic and xenogeneic reactions

This is a review of the authors' recent work concerning the specificity of the effector phase of T cell mediated cytotoxicity. The assay systems have been the allogeneic (mouse anti mouse) and xenogeneic (human anti mouse) mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) and cell mediated lympholysis (CML). The recognitive phase, as measured in MLC, is under genetic control of two major mouse antigen systems: the H 2 associated LD determinants, and the product of the Mls locus. Under most standard culture conditions the H 21 LD determinants induce the strongest MLC activation of responding cells. The H 2 SD molecules are effective targets for cell lysis. Among the non H 2 antigens it is probably the mouse Mls locus which induces proliferation of human lymphocytes. Apparently the H 2K and H 2D regions provide the necessary antigenic stimuli to induce both MLC activation and the generation of strongly cytotoxic T effector cells in CML. The data suggest that the development of the effector cells is controlled by the same mechanisms in both allogeneic and xenogeneic reactions. (Tonder - Bergen)