Studies on the influence of the internal environment on autoantibody production by B cells.
Purified splenic B cells from autoimmune NZB and nonautoimmune DBA/2 mice were transferred to unmanipulated H-2 compatible xid recipients. The number of autoantibody-secreting clones present in recipient mice was quantitated at varying times after transfer using a splenic fragment assay. We found that NZB and DBA/2 B cells expanded equally well in equivalent xid environments. Cells from either donor expanded significantly better in autoimmune-prone NZB.xid as compared with DBA/2.xid recipients. Moreover, clones producing antibodies reactive with T cell surface antigens, bromelain-treated mouse red cells, or DNA expanded more rapidly than did cells producing antibodies to the nonautoantigen TNP-KLH. Serum autoantibody levels rose in concert with the increased numbers of autoantibody-producing lymphocytes. We conclude that factors present in the internal milieu of autoimmune-prone NZB.xid mice, rather than an intrinsic B cell defect, facilitate the expansion of (auto)antibody-secreting B cells.
Klinman
D M
DM
Arthritis Branch, NIAMS, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Ishigatsubo
Y
Y
Steinberg
A D
AD
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000637:transplantation; D002455:Cell Division; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D004777:Environment; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D001323:Autoantibodies; D004247:DNA