Antigen-initiated B-lymphocyte differentiation. XVII. The inhibitory effects of recent antigen prepriming on the subsequent responsiveness of 'pre-progenitor' B cells.
We have analysed the transient unresponsiveness of B cells following specific antigen prepriming. The effect is restricted to adoptive-transfer antibody-forming cell (AFC) progenitors (that is, 'pre-progenitors') and does not occur with the separate subset of cell culture AFC progenitors ('direct progenitors'). The transient unresponsiveness is displayed by both primary and secondary 'pre-progenitor' B cells. Mixing experiments and experiments with athymic mice indicate that the effect is not due to suppressor T cells or other inhibitory cells. Nor is the effect due to an impaired seeding ability of the activated or antigen-binding cells, since after adoptive transfer the preprimed cells can be activated by an appropriate non-specific stimulus. The most likely explanation involves direct interaction of specific antigen with the antigen receptors on 'pre-progenitor' B cells, rendering these cells more prone to temporary or permanent 'tolerance' on further antigen contact or, alternatively, directing their differentiation away from IgM AFC production on day 8 after transfer.
Howard
M
M
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia.
Baker
J
J
Teale
J
J
Shortman
K
K
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D000941:Antigens