The induction of T-suppressor cells with a soluble extract of Candida albicans

We have previously shown that whole cell preparations of Candida albicans are capable of inducing immunosuppressive B-cell activity both in vivo and in vitro. In an effort to characterize the components of the yeast which manifest this immunomodulatory activity, we have successfully generated a soluble extract with dithiothreitol which exerts immunosuppressive activity. This extract is capable of inducing antigen-nonspecific suppressor cells which inhibit the antibody response of normal cells in coculture. Both primary and secondary antibody responses are suppressed by these cells. Our results also show that the suppressor cell population is a member of the L3T4+ Ly-1+ Lyt-2- T-cell lineage. These results provide evidence that Candida extracts may possess clinically significant immunomodulatory activities.