A pathogenic monoclonal antibody, G8, is characteristic of antierythrocyte autoantibodies from Coombs'-positive NZB mice.

With age, NZB mice develop anti-RBC autoantibodies resulting in the development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. We now have evidence that this spontaneous autoantibody response consists of antibodies that are similar in specificity and Id expression to a pathogenic autoantibody (G8) that was cloned from an autoimmune NZB mouse. Similar to autoantibodies eluted from Coombs'-positive mouse E (MRBC), the G8 mAb recognizes native (unmodified) MRBC but not RBC from other species. Interestingly, G8 and four additional mAb bind with a higher titer to bromelain-treated MRBC than to native MRBC. Nucleotide sequence analysis reveals, however, that unlike "natural" antibodies that react solely with bromelain-MRBC, G8 is encoded by a J558 VH gene and a V kappa 12,13 L-chain gene. Thus G8 is clearly distinct from antibodies to bromelain-MRBC which are encoded by unrelated V genes. Instead, the sequence of the G8 VH chain was found to be nearly identical to that of an anti-DNA mAb derived from an MRL-lpr/lpr mouse. The results suggest Coombs'-positive autoantibodies from NZB mice are not derived from "natural" antibodies, but rather, consist of a restricted set of autoantibodies expressing the G8 IdX.     

Suppressor T cells and self-tolerance. Active suppression required for normal regulation of anti-erythrocyte autoantibody responses in spleen cells from nonautoimmune mice

Spleen cells from young, nonautoimmune strains of mice cultured with syngeneic E do not develop a significant anti-mouse E response in vitro, consistent with a state of self-tolerance to this Ag. In order to study the role of active suppression in regulating mouse RBC-(MRBC) specific cells in nonautoimmune cell populations, the effect of depleting T cell subsets on the generation of anti-MRBC autoantibodies by nonautoimmune spleen cells was determined. Spleen cells from young BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were found to generate significant numbers of IgM and IgG anti-MRBC autoantibody-forming cells in culture with MRBC after depletion of Ly-2+ cells by anti-Ly-2 and C treatment. The response which develops is Ag dependent, Ag specific, and dependent upon L3T4+ Th. The magnitude and isotype of this response is similar to the anti-MRBC response generated by spleen cells from 12-mo-old, autoimmune NZB mice and young NZB mice also treated to remove Ly-2+ cells. Addition of isolated Ly-2+ T cells, but not L3T4+ or Ly-2- T cells, to spleen cells depleted of Ly-2+ cells restores apparently normal regulation of the anti-MRBC response in vitro. These data demonstrate that control of a specific autoantibody response to MRBC by nonautoimmune spleen cell populations requires active regulation by an Ly-2+ T cell subset.     

Development of self-tolerance in normal mice. Appearance of suppressor cells that maintain adult self-tolerance follows the neonatal autoantibody response

T cell populations from BALB/c mice at different ages were analyzed to determine when in development Ts cells specific for the anti-mouse RBC (MRBC) autoantibody response become activated. Previous studies have shown that adult CD8+ T cells actively suppress this autoimmune response and adult spleen cells depleted of CD8+ cells can generate an anti-MRBC response in culture with MRBC. The present results demonstrate that T cells from mice less than 1 wk of age do not suppress the in vitro anti-MRBC response of adult spleen cell populations depleted of CD8+ Ts cells. By 2 wk of age Ts cells are detectable in this anti-self response and reach adult levels by 3 wk of age. Non-specific "natural suppressor" cells normally present in neonatal spleen cell populations are unable to suppress this autoantibody response, although they are active in suppressing anti-SRBC responses in the same cultures. Before the appearance of Ts cells active in the anti-MRBC response, neonatal spleen cell populations can generate anti-MRBC antibody-forming cells, both spontaneously in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro anti-MRBC response of neonatal spleen cells was shown to be Ag driven and Ag specific. The ability of unfractionated spleen cells to generate this response in vitro declines with age and is relatively low by 3 wk. This decline in responsiveness occurs simultaneously with the appearance of suppression specific for the anti-MRBC response, suggesting that the two events may be causally related.     

In vitro regulation of the pathogenic autoantibody response of New Zealand black mice. I. Loss with age of suppressive activity in T cell populations

An investigation of the regulation of specific anti-self responses was initiated with the development of an in vitro system in which spleen cells from NZB mice were stimulated by syngeneic mouse erythrocytes (MRBC) to produce MRBC-specific autoantibody-secreting cells. The response was measured by a modification of the focus-forming cell (FFC) assay, which enumerates cells secreting IgG, which specifically bind MRBC. Spleen cells from 9- to 12-mo-old NZB mice developed MRBC-specific FFC after 3 to 5 days in culture with MRBC. Few FFC were detected in the absence of MRBC in culture. Spleen cells from young (1- to 4-mo-old) NZB mice developed few if any FFC. Spleen cell populations containing T cells from young NZB mice suppressed this anti-MRBC response, whereas B cell populations from these young mice did not. In contrast, spleen cells, including T cell-enriched populations from old, Coombs'-positive mice were not capable under the same conditions of producing equivalent suppression of this in vitro autoimmune response. These data suggest that a population of suppressor T cells that may control the autoimmune anti-MRBC response in young NZB mice is lost, or else its activity is masked in old NZB mice that are actively producing anti-MRBC antibody.     

Defective isotype-specific regulation of IgA anti-erythrocyte autoantibody-forming cells in NZB mice

B cell hyperactivity characterizes many autoimmune diseases. In NZB mice this is manifested by a variety of immunologic aberrations, including increased B cell proliferation and hyper IgM and IgA secretion in vitro. Recent studies have shown that IgA secretion can be suppressed or enhanced in an isotype-specific manner by a soluble factor(s), called IgA-binding factor (IgABF), produced by IgA FcR-bearing T cells. We now show that T cells from young NZB mice, cultured with high concentrations of IgA, produce an IgABF that has aberrant biologic activity when compared to IgABF produced from IgA FcR+ T cells of BALB/c mice. Although BALB/c IgABF normally suppresses proliferation and secretion by IgA-producing B cells, neither proliferation nor IgA secretion from normal murine IgA-B cells is suppressed by NZB IgABF. In fact, IgA secretion is significantly enhanced by NZB IgABF. We also present the first evidence of IgA anti-mouse erythrocyte (anti-MRBC) autoantibody-forming cells present in the spleens of NZB mice. Whereas BALB/c IgABF suppresses the in vitro generation of IgA anti-MRBC autoantibody-forming cells by NZB spleen cells, NZB IgABF enhances this response. Of particular interest is the development of IgA anti-MRBC autoantibody-forming cells in cultures of spleen cells from nonautoimmune BALB/c mice in the presence of NZB IgABF. These studies suggest that isotype-specific T cells factors might play an important role in the development of autoantibody-forming cells.     

Autoimmunity induced by HgCl2 in Brown-Norway rats. II. Monoclonal antibodies sharing specificities and idiotypes with mouse natural monoclonal antibodies

Spleen cells derived from BN rats receiving HgCl2 were fused with the nonsecreting rat myeloma cell line IR983F. We screened 59 supernatants from immunoglobulin-secreting hybrids for antibody activity against actin, tubulin, autologous and heterologous myosin, myoglobin, dsDNA, peroxidase, and the haptens TNP, NIP, NNP, and NBrP. Six monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were found to react with antigen(s) of the panel. At least three groups of antibody specificities were identified: clones reacting with TNP (1 IgM, 1 IgE); clones reacting with horseradish peroxidase (1 IgM); and clones possessing widespread reactivity for several antigens as found for mouse natural autoantibodies (2 IgM, 1 IgE). We also analyzed the idiotypic (Id) determinants of the 59 mAb by using anti-Id antibodies described elsewhere prepared in rabbits against the BALB/c D23 natural monoclonal autoantibody and recognizing a BALB/c recurrent Id (Id D23) of natural polyspecific autoantibodies. We found that all rat mAb that possessed widespread reactivities bore this Id. We performed similar studies in sera from normal and mercury-stimulated rats. The results indicate a role for HgCl2 in the stimulation of natural antibodies producing cells and the existence of interspecies cross-reactive Id among mouse and rat natural antibodies.     

Suppression of Ia-unrestricted primary anti-Qa-1 cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses by class II major histocompatibility complex-restricted cellular interactions

A model has been established for investigating the cellular interactions for the generation and regulation of primary cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to Qa-1 alloantigens. Although NZB anti-BALB/c one-way mixed leukocyte cultures (MLC) generate anti-Qa-1b CTL, anti-Qa-1 CTL responses are not generated during BALB/c anti-NZB one-way MLC or during two-way MLC with NZB and BALB/c spleen cells. However, depletion of L3T4+ cells from the spleens of BALB/c mice before two-way MLC with NZB spleen cells resulted in anti-Qa-1b CTL responses. Likewise, the addition of anti-L3T4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) or anti-I-Ad mAb to two-way MLC with NZB and BALB/c spleen cells resulted in the generation of anti-Qa-1b CTL. Conversely, anti-Lyt-2 mAb inhibited the generation of anti-Qa-1 CTL. These data indicate that class II major histocompatibility complex-restricted cellular interactions are capable of suppressing the generation of Ia-unrestricted anti-Qa-1 CTL responses by Lyt-2+ responder cells. This model provides a novel opportunity to both characterize the cellular interactions responsible for regulating primary CTL responses to the Qa/Tla-encoded class I molecule Qa-1, and determine the contribution of this L3T4+ Ts-dependent defect in NZB mice to the pathogenesis of autoimmunity.     

Monoclonal anti-idiotype induces protection against the cytotoxicity of the trichothecene mycotoxin T-2

An IgG1 mAb, designated HD11, specific for the trichothecene mycotoxin T-2 and capable of neutralizing its cytotoxicity was used to generate a syngeneic monoclonal anti-Id antibody. The generated anti-Id mAb, designated DE8, specifically bound to HD11 anti-T-2 mAb, and not to IgG1 mAb of irrelevant specificity or to normal mouse Ig. DE8 inhibited the binding of HD11 anti-T-2 to T-2-BSA-coated plates, whereas a control anti-Id mAb did not, suggesting recognition of an Id determinant associated with the T-2 binding site of HD11. Moreover, the binding of HD11 to DE8 and that of DE8 to HD11 were specifically inhibited by free T-2 mycotoxin. DE8 mAb was efficient in abrogating the protective effect of HD11 in the cytotoxicity of T-2 on the human epidermoid carcinoma cell line Hep-2. In vivo immunization of BALB/c mice with DE8 conjugated to KLH induced an anti-T-2 antibody titer comparable to that obtained with T-2-OVA immunization, whereas immunization with unconjugated DE8 resulted in a lower titered anti-T-2 response. Immunization with DE8-keyhole limpet or with unconjugated DE8 induced anti-T-2 antibody responses characterized by expression of "HD11-like" Id and by protection against T-2 cytotoxicity. However, the T-2-OVA-induced anti-T-2 response lacked the HD11+ Id and was only partially protective against T-2 cytotoxicity. This represents the first demonstration of the use of an anti-Id based vaccine in the in vivo induction of a protective antibody response against the cytotoxicity of a nonproteinaceous, small m.w. biologic toxin, whose very toxic nature precludes its use as the immunogen.     

Detection of a regulatory idiotype on a spontaneous neonatal self-reactive hybridoma antibody

To investigate the physiologic relevance of an idiotype-driven regulation of the immune system, we began a search for spontaneous self-reactive hybridomas in neonatal BALB/c mice. We sought hybridoma antibodies reactive with thyroglobulin (Tg) and expressing Id62, a recurrent idiotype with regulatory properties borne on induced adult autoantibodies to Tg. We describe herein such a neonatal Tg binding/Id62-positive monoclonal antibody (mAb) B10H2, and compare it with prototype mAb 62, an adult Tg-binding/Id62-positive mAb. Both mAb react with the same Tg epitope, as demonstrated by their abilities to totally inhibit the binding of the other to Tg. Moreover, as assessed by a double-reciprocal plot of their binding to Tg, their relative affinities for Tg are comparable. Likewise, mAb B10H2 appears idiotypically similar to mAb 62 because it totally inhibits the binding of mAb 62 to homologous anti-idiotype. Finally, as previously shown for mAb 62, mAb B10H2 expresses Id62 independently on both heavy (H) and light (L) chains, as evidenced by the immunoblot binding of a specific anti-Id62 probe to separated H and L chains. By molecular genetic analysis both antibodies appear to have made use of a member of the same VH 7183 gene family. Altogether, these findings suggest that neonatal mAb B10H2 and adult mAb 62 are very similar if not identical, and regulatory idiotype Id62 may be germline encoded. Furthermore this observation supports, in general, the concept of an idiotype-driven regulation for autoimmune responses.     

Diversity in the available repertoire of murine antibodies reactive with bromelain-treated isologous erythrocytes

Antibodies specific for bromelain-treated mouse RBC (BrMRBC) are of interest as models of "natural autoantibodies" and because of their primary source is Ly-1+ (CD5+) B cells. In earlier work by others, anti-BrMRBC hybridomas prepared by using CBA or NZB "spontaneously activating" peritoneal B cells were all found to produce mAb with a single common H chain V region sequence, by using a novel gene (VH11p), and a single common L chain V region sequence, a member of the Vk9 group (VkBrMp). We prepared anti-BrMRBC hybridomas by using LPS-activated B10.A splenic B cells in order to reveal the maximum available diversity in this repertoire. Data based on binding studies, Northern blot analyses with V region-specific probes, and mRNA nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that there is combining-site diversity in the repertoire of anti-BrMRBC hybridomas. There was considerable variation in trimethylammonium (a constituent of phosphatidyl choline) binding efficiency, and one of the anti-BrMRBC mAb showed no detectable binding. Northern blot analyses indicated 6 of 11 mAb to be of the VH11p/VkBrMp type, including one dual reactive anti-[BrMRBC + SRBC] mAb. Sequence analyses of the H chain V regions of four of the non-VH11p mAb revealed utilization of four distinct VH, three of which are very similar to the VH expressed by Ly-1+ B cell clones or lymphomas, as reported by others. However, because the VH11p/VkBrMp-type mAb were all relatively efficient at lysing BrMRBC and binding trimethylammonium, we suggest that affinity considerations may determine the selective predominance of B cells with this V region configuration from an available repertoire of considerable diversity.     

The early IL-4 response to Leishmania major and the resulting Th2 cell maturation steering progressive disease in BALB/c mice are subject to the control of regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells

Susceptibility and development of Th2 cells in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major result from early IL-4 production by Vbeta4Valpha8 CD4+ T cells in response to the Leishmania homolog of mammalian RACK1 Ag. A role for CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the control of this early IL-4 production was investigated by depleting in vivo this regulatory T cell population. Depletion induced an increase in the early burst of IL-4 mRNA in the draining lymph nodes of BALB/c mice, and exacerbated the course of disease with higher levels of IL-4 mRNA and protein in their lymph nodes. We further showed that transfer of 10(7) BALB/c spleen cells that were depleted of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells rendered SCID mice susceptible to infection and allowed Th2 differentiation while SCID mice reconstituted with 10(7) control BALB/c spleen cells were resistant to infection with L. major and developed a Th1 response. Treatment with a mAb against IL-4 upon infection with L. major in SCID mice reconstituted with CD25-depleted spleen cells prevented the development of Th2 polarization and rendered them resistant to infection. These results demonstrate that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells play a role in regulating the early IL-4 mRNA and the subsequent development of a Th2 response in this model of infection.     

Transferred B cells from autoimmune NZB/N mice fail to activate T suppressor cells

T-cell-mediated suppression of the antibody response of autoimmune NZB/N mice to Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (SSS-III) can readily be induced in situ by priming with a subimmunogenic dose of SSS-III; however, the transfer of either "young" (8 weeks old) or "old" (42 weeks old) SSS-III-primed B cells, which activates suppressor T cells in normal BALB/cByJ mice, fails to induce suppression of the antibody response in recipient NZB/N mice, regardless of the number of cells transferred or the time interval between transfer and immunization. Transfer of 51Cr-labeled B cells demonstrated that syngeneic primed B cells home to the spleens of NZB/N mice in somewhat lower numbers than in BALB/cByJ mice, although the differences observed may not be sufficient to explain the complete absence of activation of suppressor T cells. These findings suggest that B cells from autoimmune NZB/N mice are unable to activate T suppressor cells upon transfer; this disorder in a normal regulatory mechanism may be important in the pathogenesis of disease.     

A self determinant recognizing T cell hybridoma

A T cell hybridoma (53(113)) obtained by fusion of BALB/c spleen cells and the BW 5147 lymphoma T cell line is described. This hybridoma recognizes mouse RBC (MRBC) and rat RBC, but not human, rabbit, guinea pig, or SRBC. The culture supernatant possesses hemagglutinating activity for the same indicator RBC. In addition to this, 53(113) cells are able to form protein A plaques in the presence of guinea pig complement and normal mouse serum (NMS) or purified mouse immunoglobulins (Ig). Because mouse Ig as well as sonicates from MRBC are able to inhibit the rosettes between the hybridoma cells and the MRBC, and because the sonicates inhibit protein A plaque formation, it seems likely that the same product can recognize a similar determinant expressed on MRBC and mouse Ig. The hypothesis that a 53(113) structure recognizes identical or cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants shared by murine Ig and C is considered.     

Modulation of SLE induction in naive mice by specific T cells with suppressor activity to pathogenic anti-DNA idiotype.

T cells (CD8+) with specific suppressor activity against anti-dsDNA antibody (16/6 Id+) were generated in vitro. The cells were established from BALB/c-enriched T cells exposed in vitro to silica beads coated with the pathogenic anti-DNA idiotype, 16/6. The idiotype specificity of the suppressor cells was demonstrated by (a) specific induction of a decrease in proliferative response of T helper cell lines specific for the pathogenic idiotype (16/6 Id), when exposed to the idiotype, with no effect on T cell lines with other specificities, e.g., against human IgM or synthetic polypeptide. (b) Effectively suppressing in vitro antibody production of anti-16/6 antibody, employing 16/6-primed B cells and specific helper T cell line. The 16/6 Id-specific Ts cells were found to be MHC restricted. Weekly intravenous injections of 10(7) 16/6 Id-specific Ts cells given to BALB/c mice at different stages of experimental SLE disease prevented the clinical, serological, and pathological manifestations. This effect was characterized by decreased titers of autoantibodies (e.g., anti-DNA, anti-Sm antibodies) in the sera, by abolishment of the proteinuria, leukopenia, and the increased ESR, followed by decreased immunoglobulin deposition in the kidneys. Treating the mice with control IgM-specific T cells did not affect the above parameters. These studies demonstrate the ability to generate Ts cells specific for pathogenic idiotypes. The method might be employed therapeutically to modulate the course of autoimmune conditions.     

CD137 signaling interferes with activation and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in induced tolerance to experimental autoimmune thyroiditis

Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), a model for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is a T cell-mediated disease inducible with mouse thyroglobulin (mTg). Pretreatment with mTg, however, can induce CD4+ T cell-mediated tolerance to EAT. We demonstrate that CD4+CD25+ regulatory cells are critical for the tolerance induction, as in vivo depletion of CD25+ cells abrogated established tolerance, and CD4+CD25+ cells from tolerized mice suppressed mTg-responsive cells in vitro. Importantly, administration of an agonistic CD137 monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibited tolerance development, and the mediation of established tolerance. CD137 mAb also inhibited the suppression of mTg-responsive cells by CD4+CD25+ cells in vitro. Signaling through CD137 likely resulted in enhancement of the responding inflammatory T cells, as anti-CD137 did not enable CD4+CD25+ T cells to proliferate in response to mTg in vitro.     

A dominant idiotype in the antibody response against the influenza virus hemagglutinin. Serum and in situ analyses

PY206 is an Id associated with a BALB/c murine mAb described as being specific for the influenza A virus hemagglutinin. However, production of this Id by BALB/c mice immunized with influenza is low. This report shows that the PY206 Id is a dominant component of the anti-influenza antibody response in C57BL/6J strain mice infected intranasally with the influenza A/Hong Kong/168/(H3N2)[R] X-31 virus. High PY206 Id expression was linked to the IgHb Ig allotype locus. PY206 Id+ antibody-forming cells were identified in situ in cryostat sections of lymphoid tissues and idiotypic heterogeneity was identified among PY206+ B cells. Uninfected adult C57BL/6J mice had PY206 Id in their serum that lacked influenza binding specificity. In situ analysis of prenatal and neonatal spleen of uninfected C57BL/6J mice showed that the expansion of PY206 Id+ B cells occurred early in development. PY206+ cells were demonstrated in the lungs of influenza-infected mice but not in normal mice, establishing the capability to study this B cell population in the lung. This model offers the opportunity to manipulate the anti-influenza A virus hemagglutinin B cell response and to study the proliferation and migration of influenza-specific B cells in their native tissue environments.     

A novel homodimeric molecule involved in human T cell activation

A mAb, 10D1, was obtained by fusing spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with a CD3/TCR- human T cell line, P12/ichikawa, to mouse myeloma cells, P3X63-Ag8-653. 10D1 mAb is specific for T cells in that it reacted with all the T cell lines tested, but not with B or myeloid cell lines. A small fraction of normal peripheral blood T cells, preferentially CD4+, was also reactive with 10D1 mAb. Biochemical studies revealed that 10D1 mAb recognizes a disulfide-linked homodimeric molecule composed of 90-kDa polypeptide. 10D1 mAb induced a substantial proliferation of peripheral blood T cells when cross-linked with goat anti-mouse Ig antibody. The elimination of CD4+ cells totally abrogated the proliferative response induced by 10D1 mAb, whereas the elimination of CD8+ cells rather enhanced it. The proliferative response of peripheral blood T cells induced by 10D1 mAb was almost completely inhibited after modulation of the CD3/TCR complex with anti-CD3 mAb. In addition, a prompt increase in intracellular [Ca2+] was observed in a CD3+ T cell line, Jurkat but not in its surface CD3- mutant when 10D1 mAb was added. These results indicate that the 10D1 molecule is involved in a novel pathway of human CD4+ T cell activation, which is associated with the CD3/TCR-mediated pathway.     

The role of CD4+CD25+ immunoregulatory T cells in the induction of autoimmune gastritis

A number of experimental models of organ-specific autoimmunity involve a period of peripheral lymphopenia prior to disease onset. There is now considerable evidence that the development of autoimmune disease in these models is due to the absence of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. However, the role of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the prevention of autoimmune disease in normal individuals has not been defined. Here we have assessed the affect of depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in BALB/c mice on the induction of autoimmune gastritis. The CD4+CD25+ T cell population was reduced to 95% of the original population in adult thymectomized mice by treatment with anti-CD25 mAb. By 48 days after the anti-CD25 treatment, the CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell population had returned to a normal level. Treatment of thymectomized adult mice for up to 4 weeks with anti-CD25 mAb did not result in the development of autoimmune gastritis. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, together with transient CD4+ T lymphopenia, also did not result in the development of autoimmune gastritis, indicating that peripheral expansion of the CD4+ T cell population, per se, does not result in autoimmunity in adult mice. On the other hand, depletion of CD4+CD25+ T cells in 10-day-old euthymic mice resulted in a 30% incidence of autoimmune gastritis. These data suggest that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells may be important in protection against autoimmunity while the immune system is being established in young animals, but subsequently other factors are required to initiate autoimmunity.     

IgG1 and IgG2a production by autoimmune B cells treated in vitro with IL-4 and IFN-gamma

Autoimmune MRL-lpr/lpr and NZB/W mice spontaneously secrete large quantities of pathogenic IgG1 and IgG2a autoantibodies. NZB mice also produce autoantibodies but these tend to be of the IgM H chain class. This work examines whether differences in the isotype of autoantibody produced by lupus-prone mice reflects differences in the sensitivity of autoreactive B cells to lymphokine-mediated IgG secretion. Twenty-five percent of normal BALB/c B cells produced IgG1 when stimulated in vitro with IL-4 plus LPS. This was comparable with the effect of IL-4 on small resting B cells from MRL-lpr/lpr and NZB/W mice. In contrast, less than 8% of the resting B cells from NZB mice produced IgG1 under these conditions. LPS plus IFN-gamma induced 5% of BALB/c and NZB/W but only 1% of NZB B cells to secrete IgG2a. Because lymphocytes from both young and old NZB mice showed diminished IgG1 and IgG2a secretion after lymphokine treatment, B cells from this strain appeared to be intrinsically resistant to the effects of IL-4 and IFN-gamma. In contrast, a disproportionately large proportion (22%) of B cells from adult MRL-lpr/lpr mice produced IgG2a when treated with IFN-gamma in vitro. Only B cells from MRL-lpr/lpr mice with active disease responded with such high levels of IgG2a production: cells from animals that had not yet developed clinical disease produced normal levels of IgG2a. Within each strain, B cells producing antibodies against autoantigens such as DNA, bromelain-treated mouse RBC and Sm responded to treatment with IL-4 and IFN-gamma in a manner indistinguishable from B cells producing antibodies against conventional Ag such as TNP and ARS.     

Increased autoantibody production by NZB/NZW B cells in response to IL-5

We previously demonstrated that B cells from NZB/NZW but not nonautoimmune mice secrete high levels of autoantibodies in response to factor(s) derived from type 2 Th cell (Th2) clones. Supernatants from type 1 Th cell clones, which contain a different set of lymphokines, were not stimulatory. In the present experiments, we attempted to define the active Th2 factor(s) and to better understand the cellular basis for the hyperresponsiveness. In response to optimal concentrations of supernatant (Th2-Sup), B cells from 3-mo-old NZB/NZW mice produced up to 40-fold greater amounts of IgM anti-DNA compared with unstimulated B cells, whereas BALB/c B cells produced levels only slightly above background. Although Th2-Sup contained large amounts of IL-4, comparable concentrations of rIL-4 alone did not stimulate NZB/NZW B cells. Furthermore, a blocking anti-IL-4 mAb did not prevent Th2-Sup-stimulated autoantibody production. Th2-Sup was fractionated by HPLC, and the stimulatory factor(s) was found in fractions known to contain IL-5 (also known as B cell growth factor II). Indeed, a highly purified preparation of IL-5 reproduced the effects of Th2-Sup by stimulating NZB/NZW B cells to produce high levels of IgM anti-DNA antibodies while enhancing production by nonautoimmune cells only slightly. In limiting dilution studies, NZB/NZW compared with BALB/c spleens contained a three- to four-fold greater frequency of DNA-specific B cells that were responsive to IL-5. Together, the results suggest a potential role for IL-5 in the pathogenesis of NZB/NZW autoimmune disease.