Stimulation of human peripheral lymphocytes via CD3 and soluble antigen abrogates specific antibody production by reducing memory B cell numbers.
Human B cells are polyclonally activated in vitro by T cells stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies. We have analysed the effect of CD3 ligation on the production of antigen-specific antibodies, using peripheral blood lymphocytes from tetanus toxoid vaccinated blood donors. High levels of antigen-specific antibodies were obtained after stimulation with anti-CD3 antibodies for 7 days. Addition of soluble recall antigen did not affect the total amount of Ig produced, but dramatically decreased the antigen-specific response. The addition of IL-2, IL-4, and anti-CD40 or anti-CD28 antibodies or the removal of antigen did not restore the B cell response. Analysis using limiting dilution of B cells showed that the frequency of antigen-specific memory B cells decreased significantly in cultures stimulated with antigen. The antigen-specific B cell response could be completely restored only if the soluble antigen was cross-linked on the surface of the B cells. These results suggested that peripheral memory B cells were eliminated or anergized in the presence of soluble antigen.
Ingvarsson
S
S
Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Sweden.
Simonsson Lagerkvist
A C
AC
Carlsson
R
R
Borrebaeck
C A
CA
D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000737:chemistry*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000502:physiology*; D017635:Clonal Anergy; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D012995:Solubility; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid
D000941:Antigens; D017252:CD3 Complex; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid