Down regulation in B lymphocytes: low dose signals.
Picogram quantities of dinitrophenylated (DNP) dextran, a thymus-independent antigen or lipopolysaccharide, a B cell mitogen, signal down B lymphocytes to unresponsiveness. Down signals were detected by a decision test in which signaled lymphocytes were allowed one hour to react to an immunogenic pulse of DNP-dextran. Depletion of T cells or macrophages did not interfere with the generation of down signals. The signaling can proceed entirely at 4 degrees C and it its negative effect is transitory. Down signals which could be detected after 15 min at 37 degrees C were reversed by 60 min. It is suggested that down regulation by low dose antigenic signals provides a means of distinguishing background noise from true antigenic stimuli.
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003911:Dextrans / Q000276:immunology; D004136:Dinitrobenzenes / Q000276:immunology; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D003911:Dextrans; D004136:Dinitrobenzenes; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides