title: Speculations on how Ia antigens (Ir genes) influence the specificity of the immune response.
abstract: A model based on different molecular requirements for triggering helper T cells and B cells to proliferate and differentiate is developed. This model offers an explanation for the differing specificity of the T-cell and B-cell receptor repertoires in responding to foreign protein antigens. In addition, it addresses the central paradox in understanding the mechanism by which class II MHC molecules regulate the immune response, namely the problem of how one or a few Ia molecules influence the specificity and degree of immune response to many different complex protein antigens.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001666:Binding Sites, Antibody; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II