title: The murine autologous mixed lymphocyte response: distribution of stimulator cells.
abstract: Previous studies have shown that neonatal, but not adult, murine thymic T cells proliferate when co-cultured with syngeneic, adult splenic B cells. Evidence suggests that expansion of such self-reactive T cells precedes their clonal deletion or functional inactivation (anergy). This mechanism may be of particular significance for establishing peripheral (extrathymic) tolerance. In order to assess the autostimulatory capacity of B cells present in a variety of lymphoid tissues, neonatal T cells were cultured with Peyer's patch and peritoneal cavity cells. The results indicate that B cells in these tissues readily induce T cell proliferation. Evidence suggests that the B-1 B cell subpopulation is not obligatory for this process. Self-reactive T cells were evident in the spleen of young mice, substantiating a role for B cells in maintaining peripheral tolerance. The results suggest that B cells involved in this process are distributed in a variety of lymphoid organs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Rider College, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-3099, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Riggs
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Sirken
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Prior
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Hobbs
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation / Q000276:immunology*; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D016513:Mice, SCID; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*