Open AccessAntigen-specific suppressor T cell factors
Author(s) -
Michael J. Taussig
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
cancer immunology, immunotherapy/cancer immunology and immunotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1432-0851
pISSN - 0340-7004
DOI - 10.1007/bf00199524
Subject(s) - suppressor , antigen , major histocompatibility complex , antibody , immunology , biology , mechanism (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , philosophy , epistemology
Antigen-specific T-cell factors are mediator molecules which are produced by helper and suppressor T cells and which can perform the function of those cells in an antigen-specific manner. They probably play an important part in immunoregulation. The major histocompatibility complex has a controlling influence on their structure and activity, while their antigen-recognition properties may be conferred by immunoglobulin V regions. Interest in the factors derives from three related areas of research, namely (i) the problem of T-cell recognition of antigen; (ii) the mechanisms of cellular interactions in antibody production and cell-mediated immunity; and (iii) the genetic control of immune responses. This review discusses the literature up to June 1980 on their production, structure, genetic restriction and mechanism of action.