Conclusion
It is clear that the regulation of the immune response to contact-sensitizing agents is very complex. At least three functionally distinct cell types are involved in the initial response to antigen. These cells can be regulated by the activity of suppressor T cells directed at either the PCl-F-producing cell [17, 18], the Tinf cell [17, 18], or the natural contrasuppressor cell [27]. Within at least one of these populations are two subpopulations of suppressor cells, the Ts-afferent cells and the Ts-efferent cells [4, 13]. It is likely that not all of these regulatory cells are unique, but rather mediate different immunologic activities based on the circumstances of their surroundings. As an example, it has been found that unique functional activities can be ascribed to certain domains of regulatory molecules secreted by Ts cells [30–32], and it is possible that each Ts cell subset mediates multiple functions depending on its partner or target cell [33–35]. The similarities in functional activity between Ts and Tcs suggest that Tcs cells may also have a heterogeneity of functional activity.
What is clear is that wherever there is suppression there is likely to be contrasuppression, and we have described at least two levels of contrasuppression active in the regulation of contact sensitivity. The challenge to all of us is to discover how the immune system activates and utilizes these diametrically opposed activities to function normally.
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Supported by grant CA-29606 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and by Maria Sklodowska-Curie Fund (Polish American Agreement).
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Ptak, W., Friedman, A., Bereta, M. et al. The role of contrasuppressor T cells in the adoptive transfer of contact sensitivity responses to picryl chloride. Immunol Res 7, 1–11 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918149
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918149