T lymphocyte responses to Coxsackie B4 and mumps virus. I. Influence of HLA-DR restriction elements.

The proliferative T lymphocyte responses to Coxsackie B4-, mumps- and varicella-zoster viral antigens were characterized. No significant difference in responsiveness was found between healthy individuals and patients with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Theophyllamine and verapamil decreased antigen-stimulated proliferation, whereas indomethacin in physiologic concentrations (1 microgram/ml) slightly increased proliferation. A major part of the response seemed to be restricted by HLA-DR molecules. Furthermore, for the mumps antigen the DR3- and DR4-determinants which are associated with Type 1 diabetes, seemed to have a different regulatory function on the T lymphocyte response in that an increased frequency of low responders was found among DR3 positive individuals and an increased frequency of high responders among DR4 positives.