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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Human In Vitro Suppression as Screening Tool for the Recognition of an Early State of Immune Imbalance
Published on: July 22, 2011
Appearance of non-specific suppressor T cells during in vitro culture
It was found that when normal mouse spleen cells were cultured for 4 days they were capable of non-specifically suppressing the in vitro antibody response of non-precultured spleen. The suppression was mediated by a subpopulation of viable, non-adherent, T lymphocytes with the surface phenotype Ly-1+, Ly-2- and Ia-. Furthermore, it appeared that the suppressor cells were responding to foetal calf serum antigens present in the tissue culture medium and were subsequently inactivating either B lymphocytes or accessory cells required for antibody formation, which had passively absorbed these antigens.
It was found that when normal mouse spleen cells were cultured for 4 days they were capable of non-specifically suppressing the in vitro antibody response of non-precultured spleen. The suppression was mediated by a subpopulation of viable, non-adherent, T lymphocytes with the surface phenotype Ly-1+, Ly-2- and Ia-. Furthermore, it appeared that the suppressor cells were responding to foetal calf serum antigens present in the tissue culture medium and were subsequently inactivating either B lymphocytes or accessory cells required for antibody formation, which had passively absorbed these antigens.

