The role of protein synthesis in the mechanism of T cell-mediated cytolysis has been re-investigated. Cytolytically active (C57BL/6 anti-DBA/2) spleen cells treated with pactamycin (10-7 M to 10-6 M) exhibited suppressed protein synthesis (100 ± 5%), but unimpeded lytic activity. Drug-treated effector cells, incubated for prolonged (up to 24 hr) periods of time in the presence and absence of antigen, showed no significant diminution of lytic activity although the incorporation of 3H-leucine into protein was totally ablated. Studies with emetine, another irreversible inhibitor of protein synthesis, gave identical results. These findings are difficult to reconcile with the hypothesis that effector T cells cause lysis via a soluble protein mediator.

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This work was supported by Grant AI 10280 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and Contract NO1-CB-43965 from the National Cancer Institute. This is communication No. 194 from the O'Neill Memorial Research Laboratories.

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Copyright © 1976 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.
1976
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