Regulation of B-cell proliferative responses to lipopolysaccharide by a subclass of thymus T cells.
When thymus cells which are unresponsive to LPS are combined with numbers of peripheral lymphoid cells giving minimal responses to LPS, synergistic incorporation of [3H]thymidine occurs. Synergy requires that both components proliferate, but most of the augmented response is the result of peripheral cell proliferation. The thymus cell is a T cell of variable density, low in thy-1.2 antigen, not concanavalin A responsive, present in the major thymus subpopulation, and may be from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-unresponsive strains. The peripheral cell is sensitive to anti-IgG or IgM plus complement (C'), resistant to anti-Thy-1.2 and C', exhibits adherence properties of B lymphocytes, and must be from LPS-responsive strains. Synergistic responses depend on critical thymus/peripheral cell ratios, inhibition occurring at high peripheral cell numbers. The data provide evidence that B-cell proliferative responses to LPS may be regulated by a subclass of thymus T cells.
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002875:Chromosomes; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008934:Mitogens; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology
D008934:Mitogens; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial