Immune complex-dependent T cell-mediated cytostasis (IDTC).

The growth of human lymphoid cell lines was suppressed by human peripheral T cells in the presence of immune complexes (IC). T cells bearing IgG receptors (TG cells) were, but T-non-G cells and non-T cells were not, active as effectors of cytostasis which was induced by IC-mediated bridging of the target and effector cells via Fc receptors. We propose that this phenomenon be called 'immune complex-dependent T cell-mediated cytostasis' (IDTC) and suggest its possible role in IC-mediated tissue injury, especially where T cell infiltration is observed. TG cells from healthy individuals suppressed Ig production and were cytotoxic effectors upon interaction with IC. However, the cytotoxic effectors seem to be distinct from the suppressors of Ig production since TG cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients showed dissociation between these two functions: they displayed cytostasis but had only little suppressive effect on the B cell response.