Nature 260, 329 - 331 (25 March 1976); doi:10.1038/260329a0

Soluble factors substitute for T−T-cell collaboration in generation of T-killer lymphocytes

JANET M. D. PLATE

Transplantation Unit, General Surgical Services and the Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114

IMMUNOLOGICAL responses to histoincompatible tissues and to tumour cells are mediated by thymus-derived (T) lymphocytes. The cells that effect these responses have been termed cytotoxic T-killer cells and are derived from T-precursor cells that have become programmed (committed) to recognise specific antigenic determinants. The generation of T-effector or killer cells involves the collaboration of two distinct subpopulations of T cells. Helper T cells interact with specific precursor T cells when stimulated by antigen and, during the resultant differentiation processes, the precursor clones mature into specific killer cells¹⁻³. The nature or mechanisms of the collaboration between the precursor and helper T cells has been obscure until now. The data presented here demonstrate that soluble T-cell products can replace the requirement for helper T cells in the generation of T-killer cells. The active substances are produced on antigenic stimulation and are as effective as T-helper cells during the differentiation of precursor T cells into killer cells.

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