Functional studies on the role of I-A molecules expressed by the antigen-specific T suppressor cell clone HF1

The antigen-specific T suppressor (Ts) cell clone HF1 (Thy-1.2+, I-Ak+, I-Ek+) was isolated from a CBA/J mouse tolerized to low doses of bovine serum albumin (BSA), and a subclone was adapted to grow in the absence of antigen-presenting cells. The functional role of the I-Ak molecules endogenously expressed by HF1 Ts cells was analyzed by using anti-I-Ak monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in attempts to block the antigen-induced proliferation of these cells. Among a panel of anti-I-Ak mAb tested, only the H118-49 mAb directed against the private determinant Ia.m1 blocked BSA-induced proliferation. The data presented here suggest a selective regulatory role of membrane-bound I-Ak molecules in the antigen-induced signal transmission.