Dengue virus-induced suppressor factor has two disulphide-bonded chains which bear anti-idiotypic and I-A and I-J determinants

Abstract

Dengue type 2 virus (DV) infection in mice induces generation of suppressor T cells which produce a soluble suppressor factor (SF). Activity of SF was abrogated by pretreatment with compounds like reduces glutathione, cysteine or 2-mercaptoethanol chains. Suppressor activity was restored when the chains of SF, separated by dithiothreitol treatment, were allowed to reassociate. This indicate need for the presence of both polypeptide chains in proper association. Experiments using immunosorbent columns showed that one chain had anti-idiotypic (DV) and I-A determinants while the other had I-J determinants. These determinants may impart antigen specificity and genetic restriction to the transmission of DV-induced suppressor signal.