title: Cross-reactivity of IgM-secreting B cells from normal BALB/c mice.
abstract: Cross-reactive antibodies capable of binding to foreign and self Ag are present in the serum of normal newborn and adult animals. In our work, a chamber ELISA assay was used to quantitate the cross-reactivity of B cells actively secreting Ig in BALB/c mice of different ages. Individual lymphocytes were tested for the production of IgM antibodies capable of binding to a series of four unrelated Ag (DNA, TNP, actin, and OVA). Results indicate that nearly one-quarter of IgM secreting lymphocytes from 6-day-old animals were cross-reactive. This frequency was two- to fourfold higher than that found in adult mice. Very old animals, however, showed a selective increase in the cross-reactivity of anti-DNA (but not anti-TNP) secreting lymphocytes. Evidence from Ag inhibition experiments indicated that low concentrations of soluble Ag could block the binding of polyreactive antibodies, and that approximately one-half of "naturally" cross-reactive B cells produced antibodies capable of binding to three or more unrelated Ag.
authors.affiliation: Division of Virology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Klinman
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000276:immunology; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000276:immunology; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology; D000916:Antibody Diversity; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes; D010047:Ovalbumin