Effect of irradiation on the precursor, activated and memory suppressor T cells for delayed-type hypersensitivity to sheep erythrocytes in mice.

The relative radiosensitivities of precursor (Tsp), activated (Ts) and memory (Tsm) suppressor T cells for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were investigated in mice. Spleen cells from CBA mice, primed i.v. with 10(9) SRBC 3-4 days previously, contain specific Ts cells which substantially impair the induction of DTH to SRBC in normal syngeneic recipients. Exposure of mice to 400 rad irradiation 1 day before the priming completely eliminated the subsequent development of Ts cells. In contrast, 3 days after the priming injection, Ts cell activity in mice is resistant to doses higher than 600 rads. Mice primed 40 days previously with 10(9) SRBC contain Ts-cell memory which can be readily recalled by i.p. injection of 10(8) SRBC. The secondary Ts cells which specifically inhibit DTH induction can be demonstrated adoptively in normal recipients. Mice were exposed to various doses of irradiation 40 days after the priming and 1 day before the i.p. injection. Ts memory was significantly reduced by 300 rads and was completely abrogated by 400 rads. The relative radiosensitivities of the three subsets of suppressor T cells are in the order of Tsm = Tsp greater than Ts.