[Suppression of immune response by lung cells in experimental tuberculosis]

In vitro proliferative response of lung cells from mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv against PPD and Con A was studied. It was shown that the infected lung contained immune T cells, but their response in vitro was totally inhibited by plastic and nylon wool adherent suppressor cells. The whole population of lung cells from infected, but not intact mice, efficiently suppressed the proliferative response of immune lymph node cells against various antigens (non-specific suppression). The inhibition of response again depended on the presence of plastic adherent lung cells. Our data suggest that at least two suppressor pathways are induced in the course of tuberculosis infection: one being specific for mycobacterial antigens and other non-specific. Both types of suppressor pathways depend on the plastic adherent lung cells from tuberculosis lesion.