title: Plaque-forming cells in man. III. Generation of plaque-forming cells in allogeneic in vitro cultures of HLA-D/DR-incompatible B and T lymphocytes.
abstract: We have investigated the ability of allogeneic, irradiated T lymphocytes to induce proliferation and immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion in untreated peripheral blood B lymphocytes. Non-mitogen-activated co-cultures of isolated T and B lymphocytes from selected, full-house HLA-A,B and D/DR antigen-phenotyped donors were reconstituted in a ratio of 4:1. Proliferation was assessed on day 5-6 of culture by the 3H-thymidine incorporation technique, and the Ig secretion was monitored on day 6 with a protein A plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay. B lymphocytes were able to differentiate into PFC, and the number of plaques was significantly higher in cultures of cells with two HLA-D/DR antigen incompatibilities than in those sharing one antigen. In cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes with no HLA-D/DR antigen difference, only a few PFC developed. HLA-A and B antigens had no influence on the response. Further, monocytes were not an absolute requirement for allogeneic activation of B cells. Sonicated T cells and culture supernatants from allogeneic T- and B-cells cultures were not able to induce PFC formation in B lymphocytes. Our results indicate that the PFC response obtained in non-mitogen-activated cultures of allogeneic T and B lymphocytes is dependent on HLA-D/DR disparity or on genes encoded in the HLA-D/DR region.
mesh_terms: D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II