A glycopeptide extract can inhibit cytotoxic T lymphocyte-target cell conjugation in an H-2-restricted manner.

Abstract

Glycopeptides extracted from P815, a DBA/2 (H-2d) mastocytoma, were able to inhibit conjugate formation between anti-H-2d CTL and an H-2d target, but were not able to inhibit conjugate formation between anti-H-2k or anti-H-2b CTL and an appropriate target. This genetically specific effect was seen for CTL generated in primary bulk cultures and for long-term CTL lines, and was observed regardless of the strain combinations used to generate CTL. The phenomenon was quantitatively reproducible between independent experiments and between three separate preparations of P815 glycopeptide. These results suggest that recognition by CTL involves cell surface carbohydrate groups, and that the structure of these groups is influenced by H-2.