Differentiation and antigen recognition of sensitized lymphocytes. Difference between effector cells for each type of immune reactions to xenogeneic erythrocytes

Immunization of mice with chicken red blood cell erythrocytes raises cytotoxicity, antibody production and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH). These immune reactions were examined with regard to radiosensitivity, cross reactivity and antibody induced suppression. The findings presented suggest that there may exist heterogenous populations of lymphocytes with a different susceptibility to irradiation and a different ability to recognize antigens. Effector cells for DTH are extremely radioresistant. They are able to develop without proliferation and recognize greater degrees of cross-antigens. Effector cells for antibody production are essentially required for cell division and recognise specific antigens. Effector cells for cytotoxicity are able to differentiate into radioresistant cells to some extent within a 24 hr period and there exist subpopulations of lymphocytes which recognize cross-antigens.