Antigen induced inhibition of autoimmune response to rat male accessory glands: role of thymocytes on the efferent phase of the suppression.

In the present study, we report that Cy-sensitive, MRAG-adherent spleen mononuclear (SpM) inductor-phase T suppressor (Ts) cells obtained from rats pretreated with low doses of a purified fraction (FI) of rat male accessory gland antigens (RAG) are mainly OX19+ and W3/25+. Furthermore, thymocytes from rats pretreated with FI of RAG restore the suppression of the autoimmune response to RAG autoantigens in irradiated recipients of SpM inductor-phase Ts cells. In contrast, thymocytes from rats pretreated with rat heart saline extract (unrelated antigen) did not recuperate the suppression of the autoimmune response detected by macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and delayed-type hypersensitivity. The suppressor thymocytes did not directly exert their inhibitory effect because they were not effective to suppress the autoimmune response to RAG autoantigens when irradiated recipients did not receive SpM inductor-phase Ts cells. The effect of these thymocytes was found in PNA--but not in PNA+ thymic cell population. The perithymic injection of Toxoplasma gondii did block their suppressor activity. The present report clearly shows an active participation of thymus in the efferent phase of the suppressor circuit that controls the autoimmune response to MRAG. The implications of these findings are discussed.