Anterior chamber associated immune deviation induced by TNP-splenocytes (TNP-ACAID). I. Systemic tolerance mediated by suppressor T-cells.

The relationship between the anterior chamber (AC) of the eye and the immune system was studied after intracameral inoculation with the hapten TNP. Injection of syngeneic TNP-modified splenocytes (TNP-Sp) into the AC of Balb/c mice results in suppressed systemic cell-mediated immunity to TNP as determined by the ear swelling assay. This aberrant immune responsiveness following AC injection of TNP-Sp has been termed TNP anterior chamber-associated immune deviation or TNP-ACAID. The phenomenon of TNP-ACAID is mediated by antigen-specific efferent suppressor T cells (Ts). The generation of Ts in TNP-ACAID requires a period of interaction between the intact eye and spleen, ie, the splenocameral axis.