Lymphoid cell surface interaction structures detected using cytolysis-inhibiting monoclonal antibodies

We screened monoclonal antibodies obtained by xenogeneic immunization for their capacity to inhibit T cell-mediated cytolysis. These antibodies fell into two classes according to the cell structures they recognized, of 30-35 K and 94-180 K apparent molecular weight, respectively. The main features of these structures and of their interaction with the corresponding antibodies were reviewed. The inhibition of cytolysis by these antibodies was shown to occur mainly at the effector cell level, at the recognition stage of cytolysis, and to depend on the nature of target cells, effector cells, and link between these cells. T cell functions other than cytolysis were also inhibited by some of these antibodies. We considered various possible mechanisms to account for the inhibition of cytolysis by these mAb. We favor an hypothesis based on inhibition by these mAb of lymphoid cell surface interaction structures. This hypothesis was discussed within the general framework of cell interaction structures in immunological and non-immunological experimental systems.