Hapten-specific T cell responses to 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl. V. Role of idiotypes in the suppressor pathway.

4-Hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl (NP) derivatized syngeneic spleen cells injected intravenously stimulate maturation of an antigen-binding, idiotype-bearing induction-phase suppressor cell population, as well as an idiotype-binding anti-idiotype-bearing effector-phase suppressor cell population. Both cell types are present simultaneously in the spleen cell population 7-d after their induction. Furthermore, the cell population with antigen-binding properties can, in the presence of NP-derivatized syngeneic cells, induce a population of effector suppressor cells. The precursors of the effector suppressor population are not sensitive to concentrations of cyclophosphamide which prevented the generation of induction phase suppressor cells. These data provide direct evidence in support of the theory of network regulation of immune suppression. X