Membrane phenotype of murine effector and suppressor T cells involved in delayed hypersensitivity and protective immunity to herpes simplex virus.

The membrane phenotype of T cells involved in delayed hypersensitivity (DH), protective immunity, and suppression of delayed hypersensitivity to herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been determined. T cells from immune lymph nodes transferring DH and antiviral immunity to normal recipients were characterized as Lyt 1+2-. There appeared to be no detectable antiviral role for Lyt 1-2+ cells in the transferred cell suspension. Splenic T cells suppressing the induction of DH to HSV were characterized as being both Lyt 1+2- and Lyt 1-2+ 4 weeks after their induction. At earlier times, i.e., after 7 days, the suppression was mediated solely by the Lyt 1+2- population. Thereafter, a progressive increase in the contribution of the Lyt 1-2+ suppressor was observed. Both the early and later phases of suppression were due to I-J positive cells. The nature of the two suppressor cell types is discussed in relation to suppressor cell "cascades" and to the pathogenesis of herpes simplex virus infection.