Partial cross-reactivity by suppressor cells induced during different experimental autoimmune diseases.

Following injection of rat red cells, mice develop anti-red cell autoantibodies and subsequently suppressor T cells specific for these. Likewise, following recovery from non-lethal malaria, they develop suppressor T cells which suppress the anti-lymphocyte autoantibodies induced by lethal malaria parasites. Neither type of suppressor cell affected non-autoantibody components of the response, nor a response to sheep red cells. However, there was variable but significant cross-suppression of the respective autoantibody responses by both types of suppressor cell. Possible reasons for this unexpected cross-reaction are discussed.