title: Tolerance in differentiating B lymphocytes.
abstract: These experiments demonstrate that the response of B lymphocytes to particulate antigen in vivo can depend on their stage of differentiation: B lymphocytes differentiating from stem cells were rendered tolerant, while mature B lymphocytes were primed under the same conditions. Lethally irradiated mice of one allotype were repopulated with 13-15 day fetal liver cells from congenic mice bearing another allotype and the effect of antigen on the emergence of responsive B cells determined. B cells, descended from the fetal liver inoculum (identified by their allotype) produced an antibody response to antigen in the presence of additional T cells, 15 days after transfer. Such a response could be prevented by injecting the recipient with alum-precipitated antigen (but not with deaggregated antigen) shortly after irradiation and reconstitution. This unresponsive state was specific and independent of afferent suppressor mechanisms. Mature B cells, on the other hand, were shown to be primed by alum precipitated antigen in irradiated reconstituted hosts. It was concluded that a fundamental difference exists between the responsiveness of mature and differentiating B lymphocytes. Tolerance in differentiating B lymphocytes is discussed in relation to the acquisition of self-tolerance.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004136:Dinitrobenzenes / Q000276:immunology; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007109:Immunity; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007519:Isoantigens; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011828:Radiation Chimera
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D001323:Autoantibodies; D004136:Dinitrobenzenes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007519:Isoantigens