title: Staphylococcus aureus-induced suppression of contact sensitivity in mice: suppressor cells elicited by polyclonal B-cell activation are regulated by idiotype--anti-idiotype interactions.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benedettini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Libero
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marelli
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Angioni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campa
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D010081:Oxazolone