title: Immune networks. Frequencies of antibody- and idiotype-producing B cell clones in various steady states.
abstract: In limiting dilution analysis, the absolute frequencies of lipopolysaccharide-reactive B cell precursors producing anti-trinitrophenyl antibodies or the MOPC460 idiotype were studied in BALB/c mice, either normal, or immunized with antigen (Ab1), the idiotype (Ab2), or a monoclonal anti-idiotype antibody (Ab3). Anti-idiotype immunity results in the suppression of the B cell precursors for the relevant idiotype, and anti-(anti-idiotype) immunity leads to a 10-fold increase in precursor B cell frequencies, with a comparatively lower increase in antibody-producing precursors. The findings can only be explained by variations in the composition of the B cell compartment in the various immune states.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D014301:Trinitrobenzenes