Lupus-specific antiribonucleoprotein B cell tolerance in nonautoimmune mice is maintained by differentiation to B-1 and governed by B cell receptor signaling thresholds

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies. One of the unique targets of the immune system in systemic lupus erythematosus is Sm, a ribonucleoprotein present in all cells. To understand the regulation of B cells specific to the Sm Ag in normal mice, we have generated an Ig H chain transgenic mouse (2-12H Tg). 2-12H Tg mice produce B cells specific for the Sm that remain tolerant due to ignorance. We demonstrate here that anti-Sm B cells of 2-12H Tg mice can differentiate into Sm-specific peritoneal B-1 cells that remain tolerant. Differentiation to B-1 and tolerance are governed by the strength of B cell receptor signaling, since manipulations of the B cell receptor coreceptors CD19 and CD22 affect anti-Sm B cell differentiation and autoantibody production. These results suggest a differentiation scheme in which peripheral ignorance to Sm is maintained in mice by the differentiation of anti-Sm B cells to B-1 cells that have increased activation thresholds.     

Low-affinity anti-Smith antigen B cells are regulated by anergy as opposed to developmental arrest or differentiation to B-1.

Understanding the regulation of B lymphocytes specific for self-Ags targeted in human and murine systemic lupus erythematosus, such as the ribonucleoprotein Smith Ag (Sm), is crucial to understanding the etiology of this autoimmune disease. To address the role of B cell receptor affinity in the regulation of anti-Sm B cells, we generated low-affinity anti-Sm transgenic mice by combining the anti-Sm 2-12H transgene with a V(kappa)8 transgene. In contrast to 2-12H transgenic mice, in which anti-Sm B cells are predominantly splenic transitional, and peritoneal B-1, low-affinity anti-Sm B cells are long-lived B-2 cells and are found in the spleen, lymph nodes, and peritoneum. However, they are unresponsive to LPS in vitro, indicating that they are anergic, although they do not down-regulate IgM and are not excluded from follicles even in the presence of nonautoreactive B cells. Thus, low-affinity anti-Sm B cells appear to have a partial form of anergy. Interestingly, these cells have elevated levels of MHC class II and CD95, but not CD40, CD80, or CD86, suggesting that they are poised to undergo deletion rather than activation upon T cell encounter. These data identify anergy as a mechanism involved in anti-Sm B cell regulation.     

Fas and Fas ligand mutations inhibit autoantibody production in pristane-induced lupus

Mutations of Fas (lpr) or Fas ligand (gld) cause a limited lupus-like syndrome in B6 mice by interfering with the deletion of autoreactive B and/or T cells. A more generalized lupus syndrome reminiscent of that of MRL mice can be induced in nonautoimmune strains by pristane, which causes a nonspecific inflammatory response in the peritoneal cavity. We hypothesized that, as in MRL mice, the lpr and gld mutations might accelerate lupus in pristane-treated mice. Pristane-treated B6 mice developed anti-nRNP/Sm, Su, and ribosomal P Abs, but little anti-ssDNA or chromatin. In contrast, B6/lpr and B6/gld mice spontaneously developed anti-ssDNA/chromatin Abs, but not anti-nRNP/Sm/Su/ribosomal P. Unexpectedly, B6/lpr and B6/gld mice were highly resistant to the induction by pristane of IgM anti-ssDNA (2 wk) and IgG anti-nRNP/Sm/Su/ribosomal P autoantibodies (6 mo), suggesting that intact Fas signaling is necessary. Interestingly, pristane did not enhance IgG chromatin Ab production in B6/lpr or B6/gld mice, suggesting that it did not influence the production of autoantibodies that develop spontaneously in the setting of Fas deficiency. Pristane treatment also decreased lymphoproliferation in B6/lpr mice. Increased production of IL-12 was associated consistently with the production of anti-nRNP/Sm/Su/ribosomal P as well as anti-DNA/chromatin. In contrast, production of anti-DNA/chromatin Abs was associated with IL-6 overproduction in pristane-treated mice, but not in lpr mice. The data strongly support the idea that different subsets of autoantibodies are regulated differentially by cytokine stimulation and/or Fas signaling.     

Fas/Fas ligand deficiency results in altered localization of anti-double-stranded DNA B cells and dendritic cells

Autoantibodies directed against dsDNA are found in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus as well as in mice functionally deficient in either Fas or Fas ligand (FasL) (lpr/lpr or gld/gld mice). Previously, an IgH chain transgene has been used to track anti-dsDNA B cells in both nonautoimmune BALB/c mice, in which autoreactive B cells are held in check, and MRL-lpr/lpr mice, in which autoantibodies are produced. In this study, we have isolated the Fas/FasL mutations away from the autoimmune-prone MRL background, and we show that anti-dsDNA B cells in Fas/FasL-deficient BALB/c mice are no longer follicularly excluded, and they produce autoantibodies. Strikingly, this is accompanied by alterations in the frequency and localization of dendritic cells as well as a global increase in CD4 T cell activation. Notably, as opposed to MRL-lpr/lpr mice, BALB-lpr/lpr mice show no appreciable kidney pathology. Thus, while some aspects of autoimmune pathology (e.g., nephritis) rely on the interaction of the MRL background with the lpr mutation, mutations in Fas/FasL alone are sufficient to alter the fate of anti-dsDNA B cells, dendritic cells, and T cells.     

Modulation of renal disease in MRL/lpr mice genetically deficient in the alternative complement pathway factor B

In systemic lupus erythematosus, the renal deposition of complement-containing immune complexes initiates an inflammatory cascade resulting in glomerulonephritis. Activation of the classical complement pathway with deposition of C3 is pathogenic in lupus nephritis. Although the alternative complement pathway is activated in lupus nephritis, its role in disease pathogenesis is unknown. To determine the role of the alternative pathway in lupus nephritis, complement factor B-deficient mice were backcrossed to MRL/lpr mice. MRL/lpr mice develop a spontaneous lupus-like disease characterized by immune complex glomerulonephritis. We derived complement factor B wild-type (B+/+), homozygous knockout (B-/-), and heterozygous (B+/-) MRL/lpr mice. Compared with B+/- or B+/+ mice, MRL/lpr B-/- mice developed significantly less proteinuria, less glomerular IgG deposition, and decreased renal scores as well as lower IgG3 cryoglobulin production and vasculitis. Serum C3 levels were normal in the B-/- mice compared with significantly decreased levels in the other two groups. These results suggest that: 1) factor B plays an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis and vasculitis in MRL/lpr mice; and 2) activation of the alternative pathway, either by the amplification loop or by IgA immune complexes, has a prominent effect on serum C3 levels in this lupus model.     

Autoreactive T cells revealed in the normal repertoire: escape from negative selection and peripheral tolerance

Self-reactive T cells are known to be eliminated by negative selection in the thymus or by the induction of tolerance in the periphery. However, developmental pathways that allow self-reactive T cells to inhabit the normal repertoire are not well-characterized. In this investigation, we made use of anti-small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) Ig transgenic (Tg) mice (2-12 Tg) to demonstrate that autoreactive T cells can be detected and activated in both normal naive mice and autoimmune-prone MRL lpr/lpr mice. In contrast, autoreactive T cells of nonautoimmune Tg mice are tolerized by Tg B cells in the periphery. In adoptive transfer studies, autoreactive T cells from MRL lpr/lpr mice can stimulate autoantibody synthesis in nonautoimmune anti-snRNP Tg mice. Transferred CD4 T cells migrate to regions of the spleen proximal to the B cell follicles, suggesting that cognate B cell-T cell interactions are critical to the autoimmune response. Taken together, our studies suggest that anti-snRNP B cells are important APCs for T cell activation in autoimmune-prone mice. Additionally, we have demonstrated that anti-snRNP B cell anergy in nonautoimmune mice may be reversed by appropriate T cell help.     

Isotype progression and clonality of anti-Sm autoantibodies in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice

Antibodies to the nuclear ribonucleoprotein Sm are found in 25% of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice, which develop a syndrome similar to human systemic lupus erythematosus. We have previously described that these autoantibodies are relatively restricted to the IgG2a isotype. In the current study, we analyze the isotype distribution of anti-Sm antibodies in these mice over time. The most common pattern observed was an initial response of the IgG2a isotype, which progressed such that this isotype was the major one at the time of peak response. No IgM to IgG class switch was observed. Additional studies directed at the clonality of the anti-Sm response indicated that both kappa- and lambda-light chains could be involved, and that the isoelectric focusing pattern of the anti-Sm antibodies was in general characteristic of multiple spectrotypes. These results also support a special role for the IgG2a isotype in the anti-Sm response in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice. Despite this heavy chain isotype restriction, the response usually evidences substantial diversity, which suggests either multiple B cell clones or somatic mutation of antibody variable region genes.     

Association between anti-Sm and anti-ribosomal P protein autoantibodies in human systemic lupus erythematosus and MRL/lpr mice

Anti-Sm and anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies show a high degree of specificity for the disease SLE. To determine whether a relationship between these two autoantibodies existed, the frequency of anti-P was determined in sera with and without anti-Sm activity. Of sera from lupus patients with anti-Sm 18/65 (28%), and 6/55 (11%) of sera without anti-Sm had anti-P as determined by an ELISA using a recombinant P2-beta-galactosidase fusion protein as Ag (p less than 0.05). The levels of anti-P were significantly higher in sera containing anti-Sm (0.37 +/- 0.45) than in sera without anti-Sm antibodies (0.18 +/- 0.20) (p less than 0.01). Similarly, a significantly higher proportion of anti-P positivity was found in autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice positive for anti-Sm (11/53 = 21%) compared to age- and sex-matched mice without anti-Sm (3/53 = 6%) (p less than 0.05). The IgG subclass distributions for anti-Sm and anti-P antibodies were similar in the MRL mice (IgG2a greater than IgG2b greater than IgG3 greater than IgG1). The association did not reflect polyclonal B cell activation in a proportion of MRL mice because no significant differences were observed in anti-DNA, antichromatin or total serum IgG levels in mice with and without anti-Sm or, in mice positive for both anti-P and anti-Sm compared to mice positive for anti-Sm alone. Cross-inhibition experiments excluded the possibility that the Sm and P protein Ag shared a common epitope. Longitudinal measurement of anti-P and anti-Sm antibody levels by ELISA in three mice indicated that both antibodies first appeared at about 3 to 4 mo of age and fluctuated two- to threefold over 3 to 8 mo with independent peaks of activity. Recent observations regarding a relationship between anti-Sm and autoantibodies to other ribosomal proteins suggest that the association may be explained by an immune response to epitopes coassociated on the ribosome.     

Impaired clearance of apoptotic cells induces the activation of autoreactive anti-Sm marginal zone and B-1 B cells

Since apoptotic cell Ags are thought to be a source of self-Ag in systemic lupus erythematosus, we have examined the role of apoptotic cells in the regulation and activation of B cells specific for Sm, a ribonucleoprotein targeted in human and murine lupus. Using Ig-transgenic mice that have a high frequency of anti-Sm B cells, we find that apoptotic cell injection induces a transient splenic B cell response, while simultaneously causing extensive splenic and peritoneal anti-Sm B cell death. In contrast, mice deficient in the clearance of apoptotic cells develop a chronic anti-Sm response beginning at 1-2 mo of age. These mice have expanded marginal zone and B-1 B cell populations and anti-Sm B cells of both types are activated to form Ab-secreting cells. This activation appears to be Ag-specific, suggesting that activation is due to increased availability of apoptotic cell Ags. Since marginal zone and B-1 cells are positively selected, these data suggest a loss of ignorance rather than a loss of tolerance.     

Membranous glomerulonephritis development with Th2-type immune deviations in MRL/lpr mice deficient for IL-27 receptor (WSX-1)

MRL/lpr mice develop spontaneous glomerulonephritis that is essentially identical with diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (World Health Organization class IV) in human lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis is one of the most serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus. Diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis is associated with autoimmune responses dominated by Th1 cells producing high levels of IFN-gamma. The initial mounting of Th1 responses depends on the function of the WSX-1 gene, which encodes a subunit of the IL-27R with homology to IL-12R. In mice deficient for the WSX-1 gene, proper Th1 differentiation was impaired and abnormal Th2 skewing was observed during infection with some intracellular pathogens. Disruption of the WSX-1 gene dramatically changed the pathophysiology of glomerulonephritis developing in MRL/lpr mice. WSX-1-/- MRL/lpr mice developed disease resembling human membranous glomerulonephritis (World Health Organization class V) with a predominance of IgG1 in glomerular deposits, accompanied by increased IgG1 and IgE in the sera. T cells in WSX-1-/- MRL/lpr mice displayed significantly reduced IFN-gamma production along with elevated IL-4 expression. Loss of WSX-1 thus favors Th2-type autoimmune responses, suggesting that the Th1/Th2 balance may be a pivotal determinant of human lupus nephritis development.     

Role of the Sm antigen in the generation of anti-Sm autoantibodies in the SLE-prone MRL mouse

MRL/Mp-+/+ (+/+) and MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (lpr) mice spontaneously produce the SLE-specific anti-nuclear antibody, anti-Sm. Previous work on the clonality and specificity of the anti-Sm response has suggested that the Sm antigen itself induces this autoantibody. In the present work, we have directly investigated the immunogenicity of Sm. In short-term cultures, Sm antigen was shown to be important for the de novo generation of anti-Sm PFC in vitro. The addition of purified Sm to cultures of spleen cells from anti-Sm-positive lpr mice augmented the number of anti-Sm PFC on day 4. Also, the addition of Fab anti-Sm to such cultures inhibited the generation of anti-Sm PFC, probably by blocking determinants on endogenous Sm. The ability of the autoantigen to initiate anti-Sm generation in vivo was investigated by hyperimmunizing +/+ mice with Sm from rabbit or mouse sources. Such mice specifically produced antibodies that recognized both rabbit and mouse Sm as determined by ELISA. The IgG subclass distribution of these induced antibodies was similar to that of spontaneous anti-Sm antibodies found in older mice of the same strain. Our data indicate that the Sm antigen can both initiate and augment production of the anti-Sm autoantibody. These findings provide additional evidence that the spontaneous anti-Sm response in SLE is antigen driven.     

Resistance to tolerance induction in B cells of autoimmune mice—Abnormal expansion of low affinity IgG-producing B-cell population

Several strains of mice are known to develop spontaneous autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematosus and they show various immunological abnormalities as well. Despite different genetic backgrounds, they manifest various immunological abnormalities in common, e.g., polyclonal B-cell activation (PBA) and resistance to tolerance induction. To elucidate mechanisms of the development of autoimmunity, tolerance inducibility was examined in autoimmune and normal mice using trinitrophenylated carboxymethyl cellulose (TNP-CMC) as tolerogen which is known to induce TNP-specific B-cell tolerance without the participation of T cells. NZB and MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice were used as autoimmune mice and C57BL/6, BALB/c, and MRL/Mp-+/+ mice as nonautoimmune mice. When TNP-CMC-injected mice were challenged with T-independent antigens, all of the mice tested were shown to be tolerant. In contrast, when TNP-CMC-injected mice were challenged with T-dependent antigen and secondary IgG responses were assessed, autoimmune mice showed rather hyperreactivity, while nonautoimmune mice showed hyporesponsiveness. Cyclophosphamide improved this defective tolerance inducibility. By the solid-phase radioimmunoassay it was revealed that average affinity of serum anti-TNP antibodies produced in TNP-CMC-injected mice was low. Such low affinity antibodies were produced in large amount in autoimmune mice. Hence, it was suggested that B-cell clones destined to produce low affinity IgG antibodies were responsible for the resistance to tolerance induction and such clones were expanding in autoimmune mice.     

Suppressive effect of interferon-beta-activated natural killer cells on lipopolysaccharide-induced B cell differentiation of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice

The suppressive effects of mouse recombinant interferon-beta (IFN-beta) on B cell differentiation of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/1) mouse, a model of autoimmune diseases, and C3H/H2 mice, a normal situation, were investigated. Spleen mononuclear cells were cultured in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the suppressive effect of IFN-beta was examined on differentiation of B cells to plaque-forming cells (PFCs) by highly sensitive reversed hemolytic plaque assay. IFN-beta (5,000-10,000 units/ml) suppressed more than 50% of PFCs of both MRL/1 and C3H/H2 mice. This suppressive activity as well as the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells enhanced by IFN-beta was abrogated by treatment of the spleen cells with anti-asialo GM1 antibody in the presence of complement. This suppressive activity was also abrogated by intravenous administration of 20 microliter/mouse of anti-asialo GM1 12 hr before cultivation of spleen cells. These results suggest that NK cells activated by IFN might be responsible for the immunoregulation in autoimmune diseases.     

Autoimmune CD4+ T cells interfere with immune tolerance to a thymic-independent antigen

The ability of autoimmune T cell subsets to interfere with tolerization of B cells can be studied by using thymic-independent Ag. We have defined an abnormality within the CD4+ T cell compartment in young NZB and MRL-lpr/lpr mice by studying tolerance of spleen and B cells to the thymic independent Ag, fluorescein-Brucella abortus. Tolerization of spleen cells is defective in MRL-lpr/lpr mice, but not MRL-+/+ or C3H.lpr mice, suggesting that the defect requires both the autosomal MRL background and the lpr gene to be present. T enriched cells from NZB mice and from MRL-lpr/lpr mice (but not MRL-+/+ or C3H.lpr mice) reverse tolerance in spleen cells from [NZB X DBA/2]F1 and C3H/HeJ mice, respectively. This interference is removed by treatment with anti-CD4 antibody and C. Supernatants from cultured T cells of NZB and MRL-lpr/lpr mice also prevent tolerance in spleen cells of [NZB X DBA/2]F1 and MRL-+/+ mice, respectively, unless CD4+ cells are removed prior to T cell culture. Removal of T cells from NZB and MRL-lpr/lpr spleen cells allows normal tolerization of B cells, which is abrogated by the addition of syngeneic T cells or cultured T cell supernatants. This effect also depends on the presence of CD4+ T cells. These studies show that in MRL-lpr/lpr mice, through interaction of the lpr and MRL background genes in a T cell subset, and in NZB mice, CD4+ T cells interfere with B cell tolerance to a thymic-independent Ag.     

Molecular and antigenic nature of isolated Sm

The Sm antigen was isolated and purified from calf thymus nuclear extract by affinity chromatography. The affinity columns were made with serum antibodies from an SLE patient or an anti-Sm monoclonal antibody derived from a hybridoma cell line. Proteins eluted from these two columns had m.w. of 58,000 and 35,000 by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The natural conformation of this antigen appears to be 95,000 in m.w. with the 58,000 particle containing the Sm antigenic determinant. The affinity column-purified antigen detected by the human anti-Sm antibodies is also recognized by anti-Sm antibodies in murine lupus serum, as shown by solid-phase radioimmunoassay. This study 1) demonstrates the molecular and antigenic nature of the Sm antigen and 2) compares the anti-Sm binding capabilities of antibody populations present in sera from SLE patients and from MRL lpr/lpr mice.     

Ontogeny and function of B220+ L3T4+ T-cell subset of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice

T-cell-enriched populations obtained from lymph nodes (LNs) of 4-month-old MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL-lpr), C3H/HeJ-lpr/lpr (C3H-lpr), and C3H/HeJ-gld/gld (C3H-gld) mice were studied for the expression of B220, L3T4, and Lyt 2 antigens. A new B220+ L3T4+ phenotype was demonstrated in T-cell populations of these mice by two-color flow cytometry with phycoerythrin-conjugated monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) to L3T4 and FITC-anti-B220 MoAb. The generation of the T subset was apparently under the influence of the lpr or gld gene, since it could not be demonstrated in T-cell-enriched populations of MRL/Mp- +/+ and normal C3H mice. The expression level of L3T4 antigen on the T subset was lower than that on B220- L3T4+ cells, while the level of B220 antigen was similar to that of B220+ L3T4- or B220+ Lyt 2- cells. The B220+ L3T4+ phenotype appeared in LNs and spleens, but not in thymuses, of MRL-lpr mice as early as 2 months of age. Its proportion to whole LN T cells at this age was equivalent to that observed in 4-month-old mice. Functional studies on FACS-sorted cell populations revealed that the T subset similar to B220+ L3T4- cells possessed deficiencies in the IL-2-IL-2 receptor system. The appearance of the T subset with an intermediate phenotype and its functional defects suggests that lpr and gld genes in these autoimmune mice exert their influences on the ontogeny and function of L3T4+ T cells and contribute to the induction of early lupus.     

Selection of anti-double-stranded DNA B cells in autoimmune MRL-lpr/lpr mice

Abs to DNA and nucleoproteins are expressed in systemic autoimmune diseases, whereas B cells producing such Abs are edited, deleted, or inactivated in healthy individuals. Why autoimmune individuals fail to regulate is not well understood. In this study, we investigate the sources of anti-dsDNA B cells in autoimmune transgenic MRL-lpr/lpr mice. These mice are particularly susceptible to lupus because they carry a site-directed transgene, H76R that codes for an anti-DNA H chain. Over 90% of the B cells are eliminated in the bone marrow of these mice, and the few surviving B cells are associated with one of two Vkappa editors, Vkappa38c and Vkappa21D. Thus, it appears that negative selection by deletion and editing are intact in MRL-lpr/lpr mice. However, a population of splenic B cells in the H76R MRL-lpr/lpr mice produces IgG anti-nuclear Abs, and these mice have severe autoimmune organ damage. These IgG Abs are not associated with editors but instead use a unique Vkappa gene, Vkappa23. The H76R/Vkappa23 combination has a relatively high affinity for dsDNA and an anti-nuclear Ab pattern characteristic of lupus. Therefore, this Vkappa gene may confer a selective advantage to anti-DNA Abs in diseased mice.     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor deficiency attenuates macrophage recruitment, glomerulonephritis, and lethality in MRL/lpr mice

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a serious systemic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is operative in innate and adaptive immunity and important in immune-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. The functional relevance of MIF in systemic autoimmune diseases such as SLE is unknown. Using the lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice, we aim to examine the expression and function of MIF in this murine model of systemic autoimmune disease. These experiments revealed that renal MIF expression was significantly higher in MRL/lpr mice compared with nondiseased control mice (MRL/MpJ), and MIF was also markedly up-regulated in skin lesions of MRL/lpr mice. To examine the effect of MIF on development of systemic autoimmune disease, we generated MRL/lpr mice with a targeted disruption of the MIF gene (MIF(-/-)MRL/lpr), and compared their disease manifestations to MIF(+/+)MRL/lpr littermates. MIF(-/-)MRL/lpr mice exhibited significantly prolonged survival, and reduced renal and skin manifestations of SLE. These effects occurred in the absence of major changes in T and B cell markers or alterations in autoantibody production. In contrast, renal macrophage recruitment and glomerular injury were significantly reduced in MIF(-/-)MRL/lpr mice, and this was associated with reduction in the monocyte chemokine MCP-1. Taken together, these data suggest MIF as a critical effector of organ injury in SLE.     

T-B collaboration in the in vitro anti-Sm autoantibody response of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice

Spontaneous production of autoantibodies to the Sm nuclear Ag is highly specific for SLE and the SLE-prone MRL mouse strains. Our previous studies have demonstrated that in vitro anti-Sm production in MRL/1pr mice requires the presence of T cells. In the present investigation, these T cells were found to express the L3T4+/Lyt-2- phenotype, unlike the aberrant L3T4-/Lyt-2-"double negative" 1pr T cells, and to utilize the L3T4 determinant in generating help for the anti-Sm response. The generation of anti-Sm did not require the presence of Sm-specific Th cells, as help could also be provided by T cells activated to an irrelevant Ag, or by nonspecific factors such as IL-2. There was no evidence for suppressor cell regulation of anti-Sm, even in animals negative for this specificity. These studies indicate that ongoing production of anti-Sm in MRL/1pr mice is dependent on the presence of T cells with a normal mature surface phenotype, and that these cells act in part through the elaboration of lymphokines. They further show that the anti-Sm status of individual MRL/1pr mice is not due to the action of suppressor cells. Because T cells appear to act primarily in a permissive fashion for the anti-Sm response, it is likely that events underlying the initial generation of Sm-specific B cell precursors are critical in determining whether an individual animal develops the Sm serologic specificity. Once these cells have arisen, clonal expansion of Sm-specific B cells may proceed in the presence of activated T cells or some of their products.