Epitopes associated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction site of T cells. IV. I-J epitopes on MHC-restricted cloned T cells.

We studied the expression of an I-Jk epitope on class II-restricted cloned L3T4+ T cells established from H-2k, H-2b, F1 and semiallogeneic radiation bone marrow chimeras by the inhibition of antigen-induced T cell proliferation and in vitro secondary antibody response, and by the direct immunofluorescence with a monoclonal anti-I-Jk. Both I-Ak- and I-Ek-restricted T cells were shown to carry the identical I-Jk epitope regardless of their genotypic origins, antigen specificity, and helper or suppressor function. None of the I-Ab-restricted clones derived from similar animals showed the I-Jk epitope. This isomorphism, regardless of the restriction specificity for I-Ak or I-Ek, contradicts the idea that I-J is an idiotypic determinant on class II-restricted T cell antigen receptor (TcR). In fact, the I-Jk epitope was not comodulated with TcR/T3 complex when incubated with an anti-T3 antibody, indicating that I-J is a new isomorphic receptor for self different from TcR alpha/beta heterodimers.