Cellular interaction in the generation of suppressor cells and mitogen induced proliferation of intestinal mucosal leukocytes of buffalo

Nonspecific suppressor cell and lymphoproliferative activity was induced in gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), viz. intestinal intraepithelial leu kocytes (IELs), lamina propria leukocytes (LPL) and peripheral blood leukoc ytes (PBL). Depletion and reconstitution of adherent cells (macrophage/mono cyte) revealed that these cells were indispensible in both the activities. Autologous as well as allogenic were equally potent. Addition of 2 mercapto ethanol (2 ME) to non-adherent cells could not substitute the macrophage re quirement though 2 ME potentiated these responses in presence of adherent c ells.