Clonal deletion of B lymphocytes in a transgenic mouse bearing anti-MHC class I antibody genes.
B lymphocytes can be rendered specifically unresponsive to antigen by experimental manipulation in vivo and in vitro, but it remains unclear whether or not natural tolerance involves B-cell tolerance because B cells are controlled by T lymphocytes, and in their absence respond poorly to antigen (reviewed in ref. 7). In addition, autoantibody-producing cells can be found in normal mice and their formation is enhanced by B-cell mitogens such as lipopolysaccharides. We have studied B-cell tolerance in transgenic mice using genes for IgM anti-H-2k MHC class I antibody. In H-2d transgenic mice about 25-50% of the splenic B cells bear membrane immunoglobulin of this specificity, and abundant serum IgM encoded by the transgenes is produced. In contrast, H-2k x H-2d (H-2-d/k) transgenic mice lack B cells bearing the anti-H-2k idiotype and contain no detectable serum anti-H-2k antibody, suggesting that very large numbers of autospecific B cells can be controlled by clonal deletion.
Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland.
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D000818:Animals; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000235:genetics*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000235:genetics; D007152:Immunologic Capping; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008822:Mice, Transgenic
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes