INVOLVEMENT OF CD4(-CELLS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEXTRAN SULFATE SODIUM-INDUCED EXPERIMENTAL COLITIS AND SUPPRESSIVE EFFECT OF IGG ON THEIR ACTION() T)

1. To clarify the role of T cells in the development of dextran sulfat e sodium (DSS) induced colitis, T cells from colitis mice were primed with DSS pulsed macrophages in vitro and then transferred into normal mice. In addition, to determine whether the target cell of immunoglobu lin G (IgG) is the T cell, the extent of T cell proliferation induced by pulsed macrophages was examined after preincubation with IgG. 2. Wh en mice receiving the primed T cells were treated with oral DSS, colit is symptoms were more severe than in animals treated with oral DSS onl y. This activity of primed T cells was reduced by depletion from the c ells of CD4(+) but not CD8(+) cells. 3. The proliferation of T cells f rom colitis mice induced by pulsed macrophages was inhibited by T cell preincubation with homologous IgG. 4. The results suggest that CD4(+) T cells play an important role in the development of DSS-induced expe rimental colitis and that IgG may modulate the development of colitis through interaction with pathogenic T cells. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.