T lymphocyte responses to Coxsackie B4 and mumps virus. II. Immunoregulation by HLA-DR3 and -DR4 associated restriction elements.

A major part of the T lymphocyte response to mumps and Coxsackie B4 virus appears to be restricted by HLA-DR associated restriction elements. This was further corroborated in inhibition experiments using monoclonal antibodies reactive with different HLA class II molecules. Only antibodies reactive with DR molecules significantly inhibited the response. The frequencies of DR restricted antigen-reactive T lymphocytes (ARTL) to mumps and Coxsackie B4 virus were then investigated, using a limiting dilution assay. A decreased frequency of DR3 restricted ARTL to mumps and Coxsackie B4 was found compared to ARTL restricted by other DR associated elements. In contrast, an increased frequency of DR4 restricted ARTL to mumps and Coxsackie B4 was found. The results were similar for healthy individuals and Type 1 diabetic patients. No correlation was found between DR restriction elements and the frequencies of ARTL to varicella-zoster or PPD. The studies indicate that HLA-DR3 and DR4, which are associated with Type 1 diabetes, have a different regulatory function on the proliferative T lymphocyte response to mumps and Coxsackie B4.