Memory T cells enhance the expression of high-avidity naive B cells.
The secondary immune response classically differs from the primary response in magnitude, avidity, and isotype of the antibodies produced. Cell transfer studies to assess the contribution of memory B and memory T cells to each of these parameters are described. Avidities of the anti-DNP plaque-forming cells (PFC) generated in lethally irradiated recipients of naive B cells and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-primed T cells, followed by immunization with soluble DNP-KLH, are medium to high, and do not differ significantly from the avidities of anti-DNP PFC in recipients of DNP-primed B cells and KLH-primed T cells. However, the number of indirect (I)-PFC and the ratio of I-PFC to direct (D)-PFC are significantly greater in the recipients of primed B and primed T cells. The results suggest that carrier primed T cells can selectively activate virgin B cells which are committed to produce medium- and high-avidity antibodies, and/or enhance the generation of somatic mutation which leads to antibodies of higher avidity. Priming of B cells is necessary for the increased magnitude of the I-PFC.
Francus
T
T
Department of Medicine, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021.
Francus
Y
Y
Siskind
G W
GW
D000818:Animals; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000502:physiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D004136:Dinitrobenzenes / Q000276:immunology; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009154:Mutation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*
D004136:Dinitrobenzenes; D006433:Hemocyanins; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin