Galactose oxidase was labelled onto the surface of
mitomycin-C treated splenic lymphocytes from BALB/C mice (H-2d, Mlsb). Mouse splenic lymphocytes from DBA/2 (H-2d, Mlsa) mixed with the
galactose oxidase labelled BALB/C lymphocytes allowed DBA/2 cells which recognized the Mlsb on the BALB/C cells to make direct contact with the
galactose oxidase labelled BALB/C cells. By adding
galactose,
sodium iodide and
catalase to the mixture, the contacting stimulator cells will generate
hydrogen peroxide in the vicinity of the contacting responder cells and the
iodine ions will exert a toxic effect on the responder cells while non-specific cytotoxicity was prevented by
catalase. When fresh
mitomycin-C treated BALB/C lymphocytes were added to the cell mixture, the mixed lymphocyte response against BALB/C cells by the treated DBA/2 lymphocytes was abolished. On the other hand, when fresh
mitomycin-C treated lymphocytes from C57BL/6 mice (H-2b, Mlsb) were mixed with the treated DBA/2 cells, the mixed lymphocyte response against C57BL/6 cells by the treated DBA/2 lymphocytes was partially retained. Therefore, although some non-specific cytotoxicity was present, a method to deplete specific T-lymphocytes that recognize major
histocompatibility antigen from a mixed cell population while maintaining immune responsiveness towards other
antigens was developed. This method may have a beneficial effect on the control of post-transplant immunity and may be used as a prophylaxis of
graft-versus-host disease.