Antigen recognition: the specificity of an isolated T lymphocyte population.

Guinea pig lymph node lymphocytes were separated into T and B cell fractions on immunoabsorbent columns. Separated cells were functionally distinct: T cells proliferated in response to ConA, PHA, soluble and alloantigen, whereas anti-Ig reagents only stimulated B cells. The in vitro proliferative response of guinea pig lymph node T lymphocytes was then shown to be highly discriminating when elicited by a series of structurally similar synthetic DNP-oligolysine antigens. Proliferation was always most extensive in response to the homologous, immunizing antigen, and less intense to cross-reacting DNP-oligolysines. Specificity of proliferation was maintained in the absence of both B lymphocytes and antibody secreting cells, suggesting that T cell recognition is not "acquired" from B cells or secreted antibody, but is a property inherent to the T cell.