Effects of a Cell-Free Helper Factor(s) on the Kinetics of T-Cell Responses to Histocompatibility Antigens

Abstract

The differentiation of uncommitted lymphocytes into specifically immune effector T-cells is a multifaceted and complex process. The mechanisms by which the immature lymphocytes are programmed into defined specific pathways, and their subsequent commitment to restricted expression of antigen receptors, are two intriguing questions confronting biologists today. Significant progress has been made, though, in the definition of a number of the steps involved in the development of the precommited lymphocytes into effector T-cells. While specific activation of precommited effector cell precursors depends upon interaction with a particular antigenic determinant, the biochemical events that follow antigen-stimulated or mitogen-stimulated activation probably are quite similar for cells within a given subpopulation. The differentiation processes within lymphocytes confined to each known subpopulation of cells, however, are quite distinct.