Artificial T cell:B cell conjugation. A unique approach to analyze weak cell-cell interactions.
An antibody response against a thymic-dependent Ag requires cognate recognition of the Ag by B and T cells. Functional T-B cell (T-B) interaction involves binding of Ag by B cell surface Ig, internalization and processing of Ag, expression of an Ag fragment in the context of Ia, binding of Ag/Ia by the TCR and binding of T cell-derived lymphokines by B cell lymphokine receptors. It is becoming increasingly evident that B and T cell accessory molecules also are involved in T-B interactions. To determine the role of accessory molecules in T-B collaboration, we have designed a system in which T-B interaction was artificially induced in the absence of carrier protein. TNP-modified, turkey gamma-globulin-specific, Th cells were allowed to form conjugates with TNP-specific B cells in the absence of hapten-carrier complex. Both B and T cells were induced to proliferate and B cells partially differentiated into antibody-secreting cells when B cells were cultured with TNP-modified but not unmodified T cells. The activation of B cells by TNP-modified T cells was not MHC restricted but was blocked by anti-Ia antibodies, suggesting a role for Ia distinct from Ag presentation. Furthermore, B cell proliferation was also inhibited by antibodies to L3T4 and LFA-1, suggesting a functional accessory role for these molecules in induction of B cell proliferation/differentiation.
Cassatt
D R
DR
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0084.
Kaplan
A M
AM
Cohen
D A
DA
D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002450:Cell Communication; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008954:Models, Biological; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes / Q000276:immunology; D014422:Turkeys; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000276:immunology
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes; D005719:gamma-Globulins