Staphylococcus aureus-induced suppression of contact sensitivity in mice: suppressor cells elicited by polyclonal B-cell activation are regulated by idiotype--anti-idiotype interactions.
Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I, a strong polyclonal B-cell activator (PBA), inhibited contact sensitivity to oxazolone in mice when administered 24 hr before sensitization. This suppression was mediated by idiotype-positive (Id+) B lymphocytes, which arose very early during the sensitization process and induced anti-Id B cells. These cells were found at Day 3 of the sensitization process and exerted their effect by activating antigen-specific suppressor T lymphocytes, which affected the efferent phase of the immune response. S. aureus strain Wood 46, which lacks of the ability to act as a PBA, was unable to inhibit contact sensitivity. These results indicate that PBA may play an important role in the regulation of cell-mediated immune reactions.
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D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010081:Oxazolone / Q000276:immunology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000502:physiology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D010081:Oxazolone