[Use of histocompatibility class I molecule peptides for in vivo induction of specific T-suppressors in allogenic systems and prolongation of mouse skin graft life].

Six synthetic peptides were selected for the individual molecule H-2Kb of the major histocompatibility complex class 1. Optimum conditions were elaborated for the induction of specific suppressor T cells in vivo by peptide 6 (alpha 2 domain) in an intravenous dose of 33 micrograms to the tail vein or 100 micrograms to the orbital sinus, followed by testing the suppressor activity in inhibiting in vitro proliferation in the three-cell MLC in response to irradiated cells of the stimulator Kb (BL/6) in the absence of suppressed response to the foreign stimulator Kk (B10.BR). Out of 6 different peptides of the same molecule H-2Kb, suppressor T cells were induced effectively by peptides 2 (alpha 2-domain), 5 and 6 (alpha 2-domain), while the high efficiency of suppressors is realized by memory cells along with peptides 2. Under the same conditions, in vivo peptide immunization did not induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes at all. In contrast, CTL were specific in their high efficiency where memory cells were in vitro pretreated with stimulators of warmed BL/6 cells. Intravenous administration of peptide 6 to mice gave rise to prolongation of Kb (BL/6 or B10.MBR)-induced skin transplantation during the transfer from allogenic murine R101 and B10.AKM, respectively, but without the terms of skin prolongation at all with the stranger donors Kk (B10.BR) or Kd (DBA/2).