Mechanisms of monoclonal antibody-facilitated tolerance induction: a possible role for the CD4 (L3T4) and CD11a (LFA-1) molecules in self-non-self discrimination.

Journal article

In vivo therapy with a CD4 (L3T4) monoclonal antibody is able to provide a tolerogenic milieu for a limited number of protein antigens. In this study we have analyzed the mechanisms of such tolerance to human gamma globulin, and show that tolerance is induced in adult T helper cells without a need for cellular depletion, and that it is probably not maintained by suppressor mechanisms nor by regulatory cellular circuits involving CD8+ (Ly-2+) cells. Tolerance induction is not a property peculiar to the CD4 molecule, as similar effects can be elicited with a monoclonal antibody directed to the CD11a (LFA-1) molecule. We suggest that tolerance is maintained by the functional deletion of mature T helper cells and that adhesion molecules, such as CD4, CD8 and CD11a, may play a critical role in T cell discernment of self from nonself.

Authors: Benjamin, R; Qin, S; Wise, M; Cobbold, S; Waldmann, H

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: European journal of immunology
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 1079-1088
• Publication date: 1988-07-01
• DOI: 10.1002/eji.1830180717
• EISSN: 1521-4141
• ISSN: 0014-2980
• Language: English
• Keywords: T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; B-Lymphocytes; Immunity, Cellular; Antigens, Differentiation; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; gamma-Globulins; Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Time Factors; Mice; Immunization, Passive; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Animals; Antibody Formation; Immune Tolerance; T-Lymphocytes