Augmentation of cell-mediated responses in vitro by a monoclonal anti-helper factor antibody

Immunology. 1985 Apr;54(4):693-700.

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that monoclonal antibody AF3.44.4 has specificity for a constant region determinant on mouse antigen-specific helper factors and that it also binds to cultured T cells with functional helper cell characteristics. The antibody synergizes with antigen to enhance in vitro antibody responses; here we demonstrate that it will also enhance cell-mediated responses in vitro such as in the generation of proliferating cells in mixed lymphocyte responses and in the generation of specific killer cells in cytotoxic T lymphocyte cultures. The mechanism of AF3.44.4-generated enhancement was investigated. Increased levels of the lymphokines IL-2 and BCDF were detected in supernatants of AF3.44.4-treated cultures but the antibody itself could not replace interleukin-2 (IL-2), and would not stimulate primed cells in the absence of antigen. This type of monoclonal antibody which augments immunological responses in an antigen-dependent fashion may provide a new class of immunostimulant and a new approach to augmenting the responses of weak immunogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Interleukin-2 / analysis
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology
  • Isoantibodies / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed
  • Mice
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte
  • Antigens, Surface
  • Interleukin-2
  • Isoantibodies
  • Lyt antibodies