Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol 142, 790-795, Copyright © 1975 by Rockefeller University Press
Heterogeneity in the development of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro revealed by sensitivity to hydrocortisone
A Altman and IR Cohen
In the present study we used hydrocortisone (HC) treatment in vivo as a
probe to analyze two different in vitro systems for the regeneration of
cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), namely the antifibroblast reaction (AFR) and
the mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) system. We found that cells remaining in
the thymus after HC treatment had increased reactivity in these two
systems. However, the same treatment in the spleen severely depressed the
MLC reactivity in both the proliferative and the cytolytic phases, while
markedly increasing the AFR reactivity. These findings demonstrate
heterogeneity of CTL precursors and/or their pathways of differentiation
into effector cells. In addition, MLC- reactive cells in the thymus appear
to be distinct from such cells in the spleen, as judged from their
differential sensitivity to HC.