Helper T cell lines to major and to minor histocompatibility antigens are equally effective in the regulation of B cell responses in vivo.
Long-term lines of helper T (Th) cells, reactive to minor histocompatibility (minor-H) antigens, were grown by antigen restimulation in the absence of exogenous interleukin-2. These lines were antigen specific and H-2b restricted. When introduced in vivo by adoptive transfer, these Th cells helped syngeneic B cells in an antibody response to other alloantigens. Linked recognition was required for effective help to occur, this suggests B cell presentation of antigen to Th cells in vivo. Parallel titration experiments performed with long-term cultured Th lines to MHC and to minor-H antigens showed that, on a per cell basis, they are equivalent in their ability to help in vivo B cell responses. This shows that any inability to produce antisera to minor-H antigens is not due to a Th or APC defect, but results from either a B cell defect or from suppression.
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation; D002460:Cell Line; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation; D051379:Mice; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008912:Minor Histocompatibility Loci; D010641:Phenotype; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens