Helper functions of antigen-induced specific and autoreactive T cell colonies

Helper T cells have been distinguished on the basis of whether they provide carrier-specific or nonspecific helper functions. In previous experiments we determined that the predominant class of helper T cell in populations of primed lymph node cells is a nonspecific helper T cell unable to provide carrier-specific signals. Initial induction of nonspecific helper T cells in vitro requires restimulation with the immunogen. This suggested that such T cells may express antigen-specific receptors. In this case they would constitute a unique subpopulation distinct from T cells with identical antigen-specificity that are able to provide carrier-specific help. Alternatively, the requirement for antigen restimulation might reflect a role for antigen-specific T cells in the recruitment of T cells with unrelated specificity. To distinguish between these possibilities we have characterized the specificity and function of helper T cell colonies selected from primed lymph node cells. We report here isolation of autoreactive as well as antigen-specific helper T cells. All antigen-specific T cell colonies provide carrier-specific help in the presence of the homologous hapten-carrier conjugate. Only autoreactive T cells are limited to providing nonspecific helper function. Although selection of autoreactive T cells is initially dependent on antigen restimulation in vitro, activation of an established autoreactive T cell line requires restimulation with MHC-syngeneic spleen cells but does not require restimulation with either the immunogen or fetal calf serum. These results suggest that nonspecific helper T cells induced in the course of a normal immune response to randomly chosen foreign antigens are autoreactive. Such T cells may serve to enhance proliferation and maturation to immunoglobulin secretion of B cells activated by limiting numbers of carrier-specific helper T cells. The demonstration of large numbers of precursors to MHC-specific autoreactive T cells in antigen-primed populations raises important issues concerning regulation of the expansion of autoreactive T cells in vivo.