An investigation of the T cell requirements of in vitro antibody forming B cells detected by the ELISPOT assay and a comparison with antibody synthesis.
We have studied the primate cellular requirements in the antibody forming cell (AFC) assay, using a 185,000 molecular mass streptococcal antigen. Cultures of B cells alone stimulated with the antigen were unable to develop into AFC. Reconstitution of B cells with T cells resulted in a significant increase in the number of AFC. However, CD4 cells were more efficient than T cells in helping the antibody response and CD8 cells failed to induce B cells to synthesise antibody. A comparison between the specific IgG antibody synthesis and the number of AFC detected by the ELISPOT method showed a highly significant correlation between the number of AFC and the amount of specific IgG antibody. We suggest that the AFC (ELISPOT) assay can be readily used to investigate B cell interactions with T cell subsets.
Fellowes
R
R
Department of Immunology, United Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London, U.K.
Lehner
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G