Suppressor function of hepatic mononuclear inflammatory cells during murine chronic graft-vs-host disease. I. Macrophage-enriched cells mediate suppression in the liver.

Murine chronic graft-vs-host disease (CGBHD) to minor histocompatibility antigens (B10.D2----BALB/c) is characterized by inflammatory destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, scleroderma-like skin lesions, and lymphoid involution. Spleen cells isolated from this model proliferate poorly when stimulated with mitogens. Previous reports indicate defective lymphocyte proliferation in this model is the result of active suppression induced by the graft-vs-host reaction in the spleen and is mediated by Thy 1.2-, sIg-, plastic nonadherent, splenic natural suppressor (NS) cells. To determine whether the intense CGVHD in the liver is associated with induction of suppression, we compared the suppressor activity of hepatic and splenic mononuclear inflammatory cells isolated concurrently during murine CGVHD. Both hepatic and splenic MC suppressed the proliferation of mitogen-stimulated normal spleen cells in a non-MHC, non-Mls restricted manner. T cells contributed to the suppressor activity of both populations. However, the suppressor activity of hepatic MC was mediated largely by a macrophage-enriched population of MC while that of splenic MC was mediated largely by NS cells.