Demonstration of phosphorylcholine-specific IgE B cells in CBA/N mice.

CBA/N mice, which did not make anti-PC IgM or IgG antibody against PC-conjugated T-dependent or T-independent antigens, produced IgE antibody to PC-determinant when they were immunized with PC-KLH. PC-specificity of IgE antibody produced in CBA/N mice was determined by inhibition of PCA reaction with free PC-hapten or C-polysaccharide or by absorption of reaginic activity in the serum with C-polysaccharide. The presence of T15 idiotype on anti-PC IgE antibody produced in CBA/N x BALB/c F1 males also showed that anti-PC IgE antibody in defective mice was PC-specific. The results suggest that PC-specific B epsilon cells may belong to a subpopulation distinct from PC-specific precursors for IgM and IgG responses.     

Colony-forming B cells in F1 hybrid and transplanted CBA/N mice.

The conditions for evaluation of suppressor cell regulation of the pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses of peripheral blood (PB) B cells in normal individuals using allogeneic cocultures is described. In 14 separate experiments, after preincubation with concanavalin A (Con A) for 2 days, PB cells suppressed the PWM-induced anti-sheep erythrocyte (SRBC) PFC response of fresh allogeneic PB cells to 17% of the expected PFC response (P < 0.05). In addition, control cells incubated for 2 days in the absence of Con A suppressed the PWM- induced PFC response of allogeneic cells in 6 of 14 experiments to the same extent as did the Con A-generated cells (P < 0.01). It was found that unstimulated control cells (without Con A activation) from normal subjects who themselves were nonresponders to PWM stimulation (< 50 PFC/10⁶ cells) usually suppressed the PFC response of allogeneic cells (P < 0.05), while control cells from normal subjects who consistently had a good PFC response to PWM stimulation (> 75 PFC/10⁶ cells) did not suppress the PFC response of allogeneic cells. The spontaneously occurring suppressor cell in nonresponder PB cell suspensions was sensitive to 3000-R irradiation, and the nonresponder state was not associated with a decreased blastogenic response to PWM. Thus, some normal subjects who themselves had a poor PWM-induced PFC response had irradiation-sensitive, spontaneously occurring suppressor cells which were capable of suppressing the PWM-induced PFC response of normal responders. The majority of normal subjects (90%) were good PFC responders to PWM stimulation and did not spontaneously suppress the PFC response of allogeneic cells to PWM, but did have PB cells which were capable of being activated by Con A to suppress.     

Distribution of surface IgM and IgD on single cells from lymphocyte subpopulations.

The surface immunoglobulin heavy chains on individual spleen cells fractionated by velocity sedimentation were studied using fluorescent antisera. In adult mice, cells bearing both mu and delta chains were found in all fractions. While there was an increase in the proportion of cells bearing mu only in the medium to large cell fractions, the majority of cells bearing mu only were small lymphocytes. Results obtained using 3-week-old mice were basically similar, but showed both a marked decrease in small mu + delta + cells and a marked increase in small mu + delta - cells when compared with adult animals.     

Altered production and renewal of natural killer cells in B-lymphocyte-deficient CBA/N mice

The present study was designed to measure by quantitative and kinetic methods the production and renewal of natural killer (NK) cells in congenitally B-lymphocyte-deficient (CBA/N) mice. The total NK activity (percent specific lysis corrected for changes in whole organ cellularity) of the bone marrow and spleen of immunologically normal (CBA/CaJ) and CBA/N mice was assayed prior to and immediately after 48 h treatment (2 X/day, i.p.) with the cell cycle poison hydroxyurea (HU) and at various intervals throughout the subsequent post-HU recovery period. The total NK activity (TNKA) of untreated CBA/N bone marrow was 154% of that of CBA/CaJ bone marrow while the TNKA of CBA/N spleen was not significantly different (112%) from that of CBA/CaJ spleen. At the conclusion of 48 h HU, bone marrow TNKA of CBA/N and CBA/CaJ mice fell to 60 and 49%, respectively, of their saline-injected (2 X/day, i.p.) control levels, while spleen TNKA fell to 42 and 61%, respectively, of their saline-injected control levels. In the bone marrow, NK cell depletion in response to HU was more rapid in CBA/N mice (day 0.5 after HU) than in CBA/CaJ mice (day 2 after HU). TNKA of the spleen also decreased more rapidly in CBA/N mice (day 2 after HU) than in CBA/CaJ mice (day 3 after HU). The data indicate an enhanced production and turnover of NK cells in CBA/N mice relative to CBA/CaJ mice. Moreover, increased production and renewal of NK cells in CBA/N mice together with virtually unchanged levels of NK activity (112% of CBA/CaJ mice) in CBA/N mouse spleens indicate that mature lytic NK cells in CBA/N spleen but not bone marrow have a significantly shorter post-mitotic life span than do NK cells in the spleens of immunologically normal (CBA/CaJ) mice.     

Response of CBA/N mice to human B cell activating factor.

The in vitro antibody responses of CBA mutant and normal mice were studied with respect to their relative abilities to respond to stimulation by purified B cell activating factor (BAF). It was found that mice carrying the X-linked inability to respond to T-independent antigens can respond to BAF. This result is discussed with respect to the possibility that BAF exerts its effect on a subset of B cells distinct from those cells responsive to non-mitogenic T-independent antigens.     

Differences in glycoprotein complexes associated with IgM and IgD on normal murine B cells potentially enable transduction of different signals.

Studies presented here demonstrate that IgM and IgD molecules on normal murine B lymphocytes exist in different, noncovalently associated molecular complexes containing distinct but potentially related glycoproteins. The glycoproteins in these complexes, particularly those associated with IgD, show striking differences in various lymphoid organs and in X-linked immunodeficient (Xid) mice. These differences are due in part to post-translational processing. They apparently reflect the differential expression of the Ig-associated glycoproteins in the various B cell subpopulations and lineages and the differential distribution of the subpopulations and lineages in the various lymphoid organs. In addition, they reflect structural differences in the IgM and IgD complexes which, we suggest, permit differential signal transduction by IgM and IgD on the same B cell.     

Differential endocytosis of IgM and IgD in murine B cell lines

The internalization of surface immunoglobulin (Ig) by B lymphocytes is the first step in the antigen-presenting function performed by these cells. Mature B cells coexpress on their surface IgM and IgD. At this time, there is controversy over whether these two isotypes serve different functions in the antigen-presenting process. The results presented here show that the intracellular pattern of distribution of IgM and IgD after internalization is strikingly different in the B cell lines studied. These findings support the hypothesis that the role of the two Ig classes in the antigen-presenting function may be different.     

Splenic B cells from CBA/N mice acquire responsiveness to anti-immunoglobulin after a brief treatment with pronase

Although splenic B cells of CBA/N mice do not synthesize DNA in response to anti-mouse IgM (mu-chain specific), the cells respond readily to Sepharose linked anti-mu. Subsequent to a brief treatment with pronase, CBA/N splenocytes exhibited anti-mu-mediated DNA synthesis at 40 to 100% of the DNA synthetic capacity detected with Sepharose linked anti-mu. Furthermore, spleen cell populations treated with anti-Thy-1.2 and complement or populations purified on anti-immunoglobulin-coated Petri plates (greater than 90% surface immunoglobulin positive) acquired responsiveness to anti-mu after pronase treatment.     

The origin of antibody-forming cells detected in the bone marrow after thymus-independent antigen-stimulation and abnormality in migration of B cells of X-linked immunodeficient CBA/N mice

The anti-TNP IgM plaque-forming cells (PFC) were generated in the spleen and bone marrow of non-immunodeficient normal mice after intraperitoneal administration of TNP-LPS. Irradiation of normal mice while shielding bone marrow completely abrogated the generation of bone marrow PFC, indicating that they are derived from extramedullary sites. The bone marrow PFC, response to TNP-LPS was low in X-linked immunodeficient CBA/N strain mice, while the spleen response was comparable to that seen in the normal mice. To further study the basis of the deficient bone marrow PFC response in CBA/N mice, spleen cells were adoptively transferred to irradiated syngeneic mice stimulated with TNP-LPS. While spleen cells from normal mice generated high numbers of PFC in recipient bone marrow and spleen, those from CBA/N strain mice could not generate bone marrow PFC. This result was obtained regardless of whether normal or CBA/N recipients were used. These results indicate that TNP-LPS administration normally results in the migration of B lymphocytes from the periphery into the bone marrow and that B cells from immunodeficient CBA/N strain mice bear an inherent defect in this migratory function. This migratory defect was shown to be X-linked, as are the other previously reported B cell defects in this inbred mouse strain. The possible relationship between this migratory defect and the maturational defects of B cell lineage as reported previously in CBA/N strain mice is discussed.     

Role of surface IgM and IgD in the functional differentiation of human B lymphocytes: effect of papain treatment.

Short-term treatment of normal human B lymphocytes with low concentrations of papain resulted in selective and reversible removal of sIgD determinants, whereas HLA and Ia-like antigens, sIgM as well as receptors for E, C3, and FcIgG were unaffected. When studied for their capacity to generate antigen-specific direct PFC, papain-treated (delta-) B cells were highly sensitive to inactivation by even low concentrations of antigen. In addition, these cells were impaired in their ability to cooperate normally with T-helper cells or their humoral product(s).     

Spectral sensitivity of photoreceptors mediating phase-shifts of circadian rhythms in retinally degenerate CBA/J (rd/rd) and normal CBA/N (+/+) mice

Light-dark cycles are the most important time cue for the circadian system to entrain the endogenous circadian clock to the environmental 24 h cycle. Although photic entrainment of circadian rhythms is mediated by the eye in mammals, photoreceptors implicated in circadian photoreception remain unknown. In our previous study, retinally degenerate CBA/J (rd/rd) mice were found to have lower circadian photo-sensitivity for phase-shifting the locomotor activity rhythms than normal CBA/N(+/+) mice. In the present study, the spectral sensitivity for phase-shifting the rhythms was examined in order to characterize the photopigments involved in circadian photoreception of these mice. The spectral sensitivity of CBA/J-rd/rd mice clearly fitted to the Dartnall nomogram for a retinal₁-based pigment with a maximum at 480 nm, while the best fitted nomogram had a maximum at 500 nm in CBA/N- +/+ mice. These results suggest that circadian photopigments involved in CBA/J-rd/rd and CBA/N- +/+ mice may be different.     

The surface properties of spleen cells from CBA/lac mice following freezing and freeze-drying using polyvinylpyrrolidone

Spleen cells from CBA/lac mice were either frozen or freeze-dried in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone and foetal calf serum. Following recovery of the respective cells by thawing or rehydration, it was found that their usefulness as target cells in determining the activity of a heterologous antiserum of known immunofluorescence and leucoagglutinin titre was unimpaired. However, the freeze-dried cells were totally unable to bind to either phytohaemagglutinin or concanavalin A and did not form rosettes when mixed with sheep red blood cells. Freeze/thawed cells had clearly been damaged in these respects also, but not so seriously. The data were interpreted as indicating that selective damage had occurred at the cell membrane and that it was more severe when the cells were freeze-dried following freezing.     

LPS-activated CBA/N mouse B cells respond to anti-Ig and a BSF-1-like factor

Highly purified small splenic CBA/N B cells show little or no proliferative response to LPS, soluble anti-Ig, LPS plus anti-Ig, or anti-Ig plus the B cell stimulatory factor BSF-1. An excellent proliferative response is obtained, however, if CBA/N B cells are cultured concurrently with LPS, anti-Ig, and a supernatant rich in T cell-derived lymphokines. The pertinent T cell-derived CBA/N B cell co-stimulating factor has the same m.w., isoelectric point range, and hydrophobicity as BSF-1, and co-migrates with BSF-1 throughout a two-step biochemical scheme developed for BSF-1 purification. These data therefore suggest that CBA/N B cells respond to a BSF-1-like lymphokine under appropriate activation conditions. In support of this conclusion, separate experiments demonstrated that unstimulated small CBA/N B cells respond to HPLC-purified BSF-1 by increased expression of membrane-bound class II major histocompatibility antigens. Taken together, these findings indicate that small CBA/N B cells express the receptor for a factor resembling BSF-1, and acquire the capacity to proliferate in response to anti-Ig and this BSF-1-like factor when co-stimulated with LPS.     

The ontogeny of thymic independent antibody responses in vitro in normal mice and mice with an X-linked B cell defect.

The primary in vitro antibody response of neonatal spleen cells to three thymic independent antigens has been examined. The time of onset of responsiveness to TNP-Brucella abortus and TNP-lipopolysaccharide was significantly earlier than the onset of responsiveness to TNP-Ficoll. This ontologic sequence was not affected by T cell depletion or antigen presentation on adult macrophages. In neonatal mice bearing the X-linked CBA/N defect, the response to TNP-Brucella abortus and TNP-lipopolysaccharide was much delayed and no response to TNP-Ficoll developed. We conclude that different thymic independent antigens address different subpopulations of B cells, one of which appears earlier in ontogeny than the other.     

Cell-associated IgM, but not IgD or I-A/E, is important in the activation of suppressor T cells by antigen-primed B cells

The ability of transferred antigen-primed immune B cells to induce T cell-mediated suppression of the antibody response to Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (SSS-III) could be blocked or eliminated by prior treatment of B cells with F(ab')2 anti-Ig or anti-IgM antibodies; however, F(ab')2 anti-IgD antibodies, or M5/114 (monoclonal anti-I-A/E antibody), had no effect on activation of suppression by SSS-III-primed B cells. Thus, cell-associated IgM antibody plays an important role in the activation of suppressor T cells during the antibody response to SSS-III.     

Efficiency of antigen presentation after antigen targeting to surface IgD, IgM, MHC, Fc gamma RII, and B220 molecules on murine splenic B cells

Bispecific heteroconjugate antibodies can bind soluble protein Ag to APC and thereby enhance Ag presentation. We used such antibodies to bind hen egg lysozyme (HEL) to various structures on the surface of normal splenic B cells to determine which structures would provide the best targets for enhanced presentation. We found that HEL was presented efficiently to hybridoma T cells if bound to sIgD, sIgM, or class I or II MHC molecules, but not at all if bound to Fc gamma RII, or B220 molecules on B cells. The efficiency of presentation of HEL was measured as a function of the amount of 125I-HEL bound per cell. HEL was presented with 5 to 10 times greater efficiency when bound to sIg, than when bound to MHC molecules. When compared on the basis of the amount of HEL bound, sIgD and sIgM functioned equally as target structures, as did class I and class II MHC molecules. Large amounts of HEL bound to B220, but no presentation resulted, indicating that focusing HEL to the APC surface was not sufficient for presentation to occur. HEL was internalized rapidly and in large amounts when bound to sIgD or sIgM, but slowly and in small amounts, when bound to class I or class II MHC molecules. Thus, a rapid rate of internalization may in part explain the high efficiency of Ag presentation after binding to sIg. However, the small amount of HEL internalized via MHC molecules was utilized efficiently for presentation. These results indicate that sIgM and sIgD serve equally on normal B cells to focus and internalize Ag and enhance Ag presentation, but that class I or class II MHC molecules can also be used to internalize Ag and enhance Ag presentation, perhaps by a separate intracellular processing pathway.