Suppressor T lymphocytes and cross-reactive sperm antigens in human semen. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1986. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Suppressor T lymphocytes and cross-reactive sperm antigens in human semen.

AIDS Res. 1983-84;1(5):339-45. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/86242464
Witkin SS

Abstract: Studies were initiated to further explore possible interrelationships between semen and the immune system. Ejaculates from healthy donors were found to contain an average of 2.6 X 10(6) mononuclear cells and 0.8 X 10(6) lymphocytes. These seminal lymphocytes exhibited suppressor activity when co-cultured with autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes. Reactivity of monoclonal antibodies to all human T lymphocytes (OKT3) and to T suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes (OKT8) with purified T lymphocytes was shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to be reduced by 70-90% following pre-incubation of the antibodies with ejaculated human spermatozoa. Reactivity of mononuclear antibody to T helper/inducer lymphocytes (OKT4) with T lymphocytes was unaffected by spermatozoa. Since T suppressor lymphocytes present in sperm-containing fractions could be responsible for any reactivity of OKT3 and OKT8 antibodies with spermatozoa, lymphocyte-free sperm preparations were prepared. OKT3 and OKT8, but not OKT4, were shown by ELISA to react with purified human spermatozoa. Shared antigenic determinants between lymphoid cells and spermatozoa and/or the occurrence of lymphocytes in semen may, in some situations, induce alteration in immune functions following exposure to semen.
Keywords: Antibodies, Monoclonal/DIAGNOSTIC USE/IMMUNOLOGY Antigenic Determinants/IMMUNOLOGY Antigens, Surface/*ANALYSIS/IMMUNOLOGY Binding Sites, Antibody Cross Reactions Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Human Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed/METHODS Lymphocyte Transformation/DRUG EFFECTS Male Semen/*CYTOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY Spermatozoa/*IMMUNOLOGY Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. T-Lymphocytes, Suppressor-Effector/*CYTOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE

KWDantibodies,monoclonal/diagnosticuse/immunologyantigenicdeterminants/immunologyantigens,surface/KWDanalysis/immunologybindingsites,antibodycrossreactionsenzyme-linkedimmunosorbentassayhumanlymphocyteculturetest,mixed/methodslymphocytetransformation/drugeffectsmalesemen/KWDcytology/immunologyspermatozoa/KWDimmunologysupport,non-uKWDsKWDgov'tsupport,uKWDsKWDgov't,pKWDhKWDsKWDt-lymphocytes,suppressor-effector/KWDcytology/immunologyjournalarticle
861030
M86A0302

Copyright © 1986 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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