A self-Ia reactive T cell clone directly stimulates every hundredth B cell and helps antigen-specific B cell responses

Eur J Immunol. 1985 Sep;15(9):927-34. doi: 10.1002/eji.1830150912.

Abstract

A self-I-A reactive T cell clone has been isolated that proliferates in the presence of irradiated syngeneic spleen cells in mouse serum. The cells directly stimulate approximately every hundredth B cell, which includes small B cells, into both proliferation and antibody formation in the absence of added antigen. There is evidence to suggest that cells of this type are generally present in murine T cell populations. The cells may recognize self-I-A as such. We failed to obtain evidence, but cannot exclude that they recognize an antibody idiotype in addition. The clone also augments antigen-specific antibody responses in vivo and in vitro in the presence of antigen. In the in vitro response to a T-independent TI-2 antigen, the T cells in co-culture with B cells induced specifically the production of IgG1 antibodies, thus mimicking the function of major histocompatibility complex-restricted, antigen-specific helper T cells. However, IgG1 production was not observed when splenic T cells were added to this system. Thus, self-I-A reactive T cells, generally inactive in the system, may locally help B cell responses to antigens which the T cells do not themselves recognize. In such instances one might attribute to the T cells antigen or idiotype-binding specificities which the cells in reality do not display.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, T-Independent / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Clone Cells / immunology
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Lymphocyte Cooperation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, T-Independent
  • Epitopes
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Immunoglobulin G