T-cell enforced invariance of the antibody repertoire in the immune response against a bacterial carbohydrate antigen.
The humoral response against the bacterial polysaccharide antigen alpha(1-->3) dextran (Dex) is controlled by J558 idiotype-(Id) specific T cells. These T cells of which the cell clone 178-4 Ts is a representative by all relevant criteria, recognize J558 Id-bearing B cells in an I-Ed-restricted manner. Costimulation via CD28/B7-1 but not via CD40/CD40L leads to T-cell activation. These T cells do not only suppress B cells producing the immunoglobulin (Ig)G3 isotype but also support the survival and clonal expansion of J558 Id positive B cells both in vivo and in vitro. This T-cell mediated dominance of the J558 idiotype limits the appearance of antibodies carrying other more diverse idiotypes which appear in immunized BALB/c nu/nu mice where no regulatory T cells occur. This T-cell mediated antibody invariance could be a strategy of the immune system responding to highly conserved antigens like polysaccharides, different from those against protein antigens, where diversity is assumed to be the basis for a successful response.
Institute for Immunology, University of Münster, Domagkstr. 3 A, D-48129 Münster, Germany.
A
A
Rademaekers
C
C
Specht
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E
Kölsch
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002470:Cell Survival; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000235:genetics; D003911:Dextrans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008954:Models, Biological; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D015342:DNA Probes; D003911:Dextrans; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C040834:alpha-1,3-dextran