Selection of anti-F protein B-cell repertoires in normal mice.
The hypothesis that self-tolerance to F protein antigen exclusively concerns T cells was tested by determining the frequencies of B lymphocytes producing anti-F antibodies in bone marrow (BM), spleen and peritoneal exudate (PEC) cells from normal, immune or tolerant animals, and in responder and non-responder mouse strains. Using an ELISA spot assay and lipopolysaccharide stimulation, we found that anti-F frequencies were highest in BM and "naturally activated" large spleen cells, followed by resting spleen and PEC cells. Anti-F specificities were also induced among "natural" Ig-secreting cells of normal individuals. Specific immunization of responder mice doubled the splenic frequencies, while tolerization had no effect. Similar results were obtained in BALB/c and A/J mice, while C57BL/6 contained fewer anti-F B cells in spleen, but not in BM. These results support the notion that self-tolerance to F antigen can primarily be ascribed to T cells, but they also show F-antigen-specific selection of B-cell repertoires.
Nardi
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Unite d'Immunobiologie, URA 359 CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Paris.
Freitas
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AA
Coutinho
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology; D011506:Proteins; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
D001323:Autoantibodies; C488911:Hpd protein, mouse; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D010088:Oxidoreductases