Characterization of the immunodeficiency of RIIS/J [corrected] mice. I. Association with the CD5 (LY-1) [corrected] B cell lineage

RIIIS/J mice produce low antibody responses to several polysaccharide Ag of bacterial origin. They have low levels of serum IgM and IgG3 and high levels of serum IgG2a and IgG2b. Low serum IgM and IgG3 have been attributed to a low frequency of CD5 (Ly-1) B cells, which play an important role in the production of natural antibodies. Indeed, RIIIS/J mice have a low frequency of CD5 (Ly-1)+, IgM bright+, Ly-5 (B220)dull+ (i.e., CD5 (Ly-1) B) cells in their peritoneum. RIIIS/J mice treated with LPS produce a low anti-bromelain-treated mouse RBC splenic plaque-forming cell response and a normal anti-mouse transferrin splenic PFC response. Those data are compatible with the fact that CD5 (Ly-1) B cells contain the precursors of B lymphocytes secreting anti-bromelain-treated mouse RBC antibody. However, they have a higher frequency of IgM bright+, Mac-1+ cells in their peritoneum. These cells represent the CD5 (Ly-1) "sister population" of CD5 (Ly-1) B cells described by others. This suggests that characteristics usually associated with the CD5 (Ly-1) lineage are applicable only to the CD5 (Ly-1)+ Mac-1+ IgM+ population, but not the related CD5 (Ly-1)- Mac-1+ IgM+ population. RIIIS/J mice should thus prove a valuable model to study the CD5 (Ly-1) B cell lineage.     

Effects of neonatal anti-delta antibody treatment on the murine immune system. II. Functional capacity of a stable sIgM+sIa+sIgD- B cell population

Mice were injected from birth with rabbit anti-mouse IgD (RaM delta). Studies in the accompanying paper indicated that the B cells from these mice have a stable sIgM+sIa+sIgD- B cell population. In the studies presented herein the in vivo and in vitro antibody responses of these mice were examined as well as their responsiveness to various B cell mitogens. The results indicate that splenic B cells from RaM delta-suppressed mice differ from normal adult murine splenic B cells by failure to express increased sIa antigen after in vitro stimulation with soluble anti-mu antibodies and failure to proliferate in response to in vitro stimulation with either soluble or Sepharose-bound anti-mu antibody. Nevertheless, these mice generate relatively normal in vivo IgM and IgG antibody responses to TI-2 and to both high and low epitope density forms of TD antigens as well as secondary IgG antibody responses to a TD antigen. In addition, B cells from RaM delta-treated mice generate relatively normal primary in vitro IgM antibody responses to TI-1, TI-2, and TD antigens. These data suggest that sIgD- B cells can produce antibody responses to the majority of antigenic signals even though they appear to lack one or more differentiative pathways.     

A polyclonal model for B cell tolerance. I. Fc-dependent and Fc-independent induction of nonresponsiveness by pretreatment of normal splenic B cells with anti-Ig.

We have developed a simple and adaptable, polyclonal model for B cell nonresponsiveness that is based on the inhibitory activity of anti-Ig as a surrogate for Ag. In our system the induction phase (treatment with anti-Ig) is separated from the challenge phase (Ag or mitogen), so that the critical events in each phase can be evaluated. Our results show that T cell-depleted B cells precultured for 18 to 24 h with rabbit anti-Ig reagents are rendered unresponsive to challenge with either Ag, fluorescein coupled to Brucella abortus (FL-BA), or mitogen (LPS). This state of nonresponsiveness (anergy) is reflected by an inhibition of a prototype response to the fluorescein hapten, as well as total Ig and IgG synthesis, but no reduction in proliferation to LPS. Interestingly, mitogen-induced polyclonal antibody formation was consistently reduced by 90% by treatment with either F(ab')2 or intact IgG anti-Ig. In contrast, the Ag-driven (FL-BA) response of pretreated B cells was inhibited by only 50 to 70%. Moreover, the latter effect usually required pretreatment with intact IgG anti-Ig, a result that suggests the importance of an Fc-dependent negative signal affecting the B cell's response to FL-BA. Furthermore, pretreatment and coculture of B cells with IL-4 blocked the Fc-dependent inhibition of the FL-BA responsiveness. These results, as well as kinetics experiments establishing a 4-h latent period, suggest that simple blocking of surface Ig receptor on target B cells is not responsible for the induction of anergy. Pretreated B cells displayed unique phenotypic changes after treatment with anti-Ig, including a diminution of Thy-1 expression in response to LPS + IL-4, as well as a reduction in membrane IgM and J11d expression (i.e., they were IgMlo, IgDmed, and J11dlo, as recently reported for anergic B cells in transgenic mice). These results suggest that B cell anergy can be induced in mature B cells by both Fc-dependent and Fc-independent processes that lead to unique phenotypic changes and may reflect egress from G0 in the absence of T cell help. The significance of these changes to tolerance mechanisms is discussed.     

Artificial T cell:B cell conjugation. A unique approach to analyze weak cell-cell interactions

An antibody response against a thymic-dependent Ag requires cognate recognition of the Ag by B and T cells. Functional T-B cell (T-B) interaction involves binding of Ag by B cell surface Ig, internalization and processing of Ag, expression of an Ag fragment in the context of Ia, binding of Ag/Ia by the TCR and binding of T cell-derived lymphokines by B cell lymphokine receptors. It is becoming increasingly evident that B and T cell accessory molecules also are involved in T-B interactions. To determine the role of accessory molecules in T-B collaboration, we have designed a system in which T-B interaction was artificially induced in the absence of carrier protein. TNP-modified, turkey gamma-globulin-specific, Th cells were allowed to form conjugates with TNP-specific B cells in the absence of hapten-carrier complex. Both B and T cells were induced to proliferate and B cells partially differentiated into antibody-secreting cells when B cells were cultured with TNP-modified but not unmodified T cells. The activation of B cells by TNP-modified T cells was not MHC restricted but was blocked by anti-Ia antibodies, suggesting a role for Ia distinct from Ag presentation. Furthermore, B cell proliferation was also inhibited by antibodies to L3T4 and LFA-1, suggesting a functional accessory role for these molecules in induction of B cell proliferation/differentiation.     

Recognition of a B cell lymphoma by anti-idiotypic T cells

Idiotypic IgM derived from a B cell lymphoma can act as a tumor-associated Ag, in that immunization with this purified protein generates an anti-idiotypic immune response that specifically suppresses tumor development. Spleens of immune mice contain T cells that proliferate in response to idiotypic IgM. However, idiotypic Ag is presented to the T cells most efficiently in its natural form at the surface of the lymphoma cells, than as soluble IgM plus presenting cells. Variant tumors that display either little or no idiotypic IgM at the cell surface, but which are otherwise indistinguishable from parental tumor, induce a weak response or fail to stimulate the T cells, respectively. Anti-idiotypic lines and clones have been derived from the splenic T cells by growth in the presence of irradiated tumor cells. Phenotypic analysis revealed that cells from both lines and clones express CD3 and CD4 Ag, but not CD8. Recognition of tumor Id, which required no added presenting cells, was inhibited by antibody against MHC class II Ag, and variably by anti-CD4. Proliferative responses were inhibited by anti-idiotypic antibodies, but also by antibodies against the constant region of the mu H chain, indicating that perturbation of the surface IgM abrogates availability of idiotypic determinants to the T cells.     

Effects of neonatal anti-delta antibody treatment on the murine immune system. I. Suppression of development of surface IgD+ B cells and expansion of a surface IgM+ IgD- B lymphocyte population

Lymphocytes that bear surface (s) IgD make up the majority of B cells in mature mice and are the precursors of most antibody secreting cells in primary immune responses made by these mice. In order to study the functional capabilities of the minority sIgD- B lymphocyte population and to gain insight into the possible roles of sIgD, we attempted to abort the development of sigD+ B cells and to expand the sigM+IgD- B cell population by treating mice from birth with affinity-purified rabbit antibodies specific for mouse IgD (RaM delta). RaM delta-suppressed mice had no detectable sIgD+ spleen, lymph node, or bone marrow cells and, on average, only 20% as many sIgM+Ia+ splenic B cells as control mice but had normal numbers of splenic T cells. Lymph nodes from anti-delta suppressed mice were even more depleted of B cells than were spleens from these mice, whereas the percentage of bone marrow B cells in these mice was relatively normal. Germinal centers of anti-delta suppressed mice were fairly normal in appearance, whereas follicular mantle layers, the locus of most sIgD+ B cells in normal mice, were greatly depleted. In addition to their lack of sIgD, splenic B cells of anti-delta suppressed mice differed from those found in control mice in that they bore, on average, twice as much sIgM as control cells, and in that they included an increased percentage of large, DNA synthesizing cells as compared with spleen cells from control mice. However, most sIgM+IgD- splenic B cells from anti-delta suppressed mice were small, nonproliferating cells. B cells from anti-delta suppressed mice insert little or no sIgD into their cell membranes since they continued to bear no detectable sIgD 2 days after in vivo neutralization of RaM delta and since, unlike B cells from control mice, they failed to be activated by a single in vitro injection of a goat anti-mouse delta antibody. Despite their lack of sIgD+ B cells, anti-delta suppressed mice had relatively normal levels of serum IgG as well as normal to increased levels of serum IgM. Thus, sIgM+IgD- B cells appear to have the potential of differentiating into Ig secreting cells in vivo without acquiring sIgD.     

Epstein-Barr virus preferentially induces proliferation of primed B cells

EBV can induce human B cells to proliferate, differentiate, and undergo transformation into continuously growing lymphoblastoid cell lines. The EBV responsiveness appears to be confined to a very limited subpopulation of B cells, the nature of which is still unclear. In these studies, we sorted tonsillar B cells on the basis of their expression of the early surface activation Ag, Bac-1, and compared their proliferative responses to EBV. Bac-1+ cells responded to EBV with a relatively high level of DNA synthesis, whereas the Bac-1- cells did not. Both large and small Bac-1+ cells were responsive to EBV and the responsiveness was unrelated to the level of Bac-1 immunofluorescence intensity. Bac-1+ cells were relatively enriched for surface IgM and IgD expression. When the Bac-1- population was enriched for IgM+ cells, the proliferative response was still significantly lower than that of the Bac-1+ population. B cells acquire the ability to bind IgM relatively late after activation, and this feature did not distinguish the EBV-responsive B cells. The results suggest B cells become responsive to EBV after an early activation signal.     

B cells from mice prematurely expressing human complement receptor type 2 are unresponsive to T-dependent antigens

Complement receptor type 2 (CR2/CD21), in association with CD19, plays an important role in enhancing mature B cell responses to opsonized Ags. We have shown that mice expressing a human CR2/CD21 (hCR2/CD21) transgene during the CD43(+)/CD25(-) late pro-B cell stage of B cell development demonstrate marked changes in subsequent B cell ontogeny. In the present study, we show that the humoral immune response to the T cell-dependent Ag, sheep RBC, is muted severely in a manner inversely proportional to B cell expression level of hCR2. Individual Ag-specific IgG isotypes vary in the degree to which they are affected but all are reduced while IgM titers are normal. A substantial reduction in germinal centers, both in size and frequency, in the spleens of immunized hCR2 transgenic mice demonstrates a failure to maintain germinal center reaction. However, both IgM expression levels and LPS-proliferative responses appear fully intact in B cells from hCR2-positive mice, suggesting that this alteration in B cell phenotype is different qualitatively from that of specific Ag-defined anergy models. These data suggest that the unresponsiveness to T-dependent Ags displayed by hCR2-positive B cells is linked to an increase in the level of stimulus required to propel the B cell into a fully activated state and thus a normal humoral immune response to Ags. We conclude that this phenotype and these mice may offer an additional means to dissect mechanisms underlying B cell tolerance and Ag responsiveness both in bone marrow and periphery.     

In vivo priming of helper T cells in the absence of B cell activation

This paper describes an adjuvant-free immunization regimen that results in the priming of T cells but not B cells. B10.A mice were primed s.c. with syngeneic spleen cells that had been pulsed with the peptide 81-104 derived from pigeon cytochrome c. The T cell response was measured by using a sensitive limiting dilution assay that measures lymphokine production. The precursor frequency of Ag-specific cells found in these mice was indistinguishable from the frequency found in mice primed in the footpads with 81-104 in CFA. A striking difference in antibody induction was found, however, when these two immunization regimens were compared. Mice primed with 81-104 in CFA developed significant serum antibody responses against the peptide, whereas mice primed with Ag-pulsed spleen cells produced no detectable anti-peptide antibodies. This lack of antibody did not result from detectable differences in the T cells that were primed: no differences were seen in IL-2 and IL-4 production or in the ability to provide help to B cells in vitro. In vitro stimulation with LPS suggested that the B cells were not primed by the Ag-pulsed spleen cells. The B cells were not tolerized, however, because boosting the mice with Ag in CFA resulted in the induction of an antibody response. The failure to induce an antibody response by priming with Ag-pulsed spleen cells was not caused by the site of immunization or the total amount of Ag used for priming. The critical variable may be the introduction of the Ag on the surface of an APC; in this form, B cell Ag recognition was apparently inefficient, whereas T cell Ag recognition was optimal.     

Antigen-specific CD8+ T cells switch the immune response induced by antigen from an IgG to a cell-mediated mode.

We have developed an in vivo/in vitro immunization procedure with xenogeneic RBC as Ag that results in the generation of a lymphoid population that expresses potent delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and produces little, if any, antibody. This lymphoid population contains Ag-specific CD8+ T cells that can inhibit the induction of a strong IgG response. These CD8+ T cells are shown to not only inhibit the antibody response in an Ag-specific manner but allow the Ag to induce cells of the target population to express DTH. Furthermore, the Ag-specific inhibition of the antibody response and the Ag-specific enhancement of the induction of DTH appear to be coordinately regulated, as the same number of CD8+ T cells cells is required to achieve both effects. Thus these CD8+ T cells are shown to switch the response induced by Ag from a humoral to a cell-mediated mode. These regulatory characteristics are consistent with a physiologic role for these cells of ensuring the absence of antibody production during a strong, cell-mediated response.     

The expression of Ia antigenic determinants on macrophages required for the in vitro antibody response.

A subpopulation of antigen-presenting macrophages required for an in vitro antibody response to burro erythrocytes was deleted by pretreating the splenic macrophages with anti-Ia serum and complement (C). The in vitro response of the macrophage depleted T-B cell population could not be restored by the addition of macrophages resistant to anti-Ia antibodies and C (Ia-). The response of Ia- macrophages and the macrophage-depleted T-B cells was only reconstituted by the addition of Ia+ macrophages. Macrophages pretreated with anti-Ia antibodies restricted to react with determinants of one I subregion could not support the in vitro antibody response when added to cultures whose macrophages were pretreated with anti-Ia serum and C specific for the I-J subregion. These results confirmed that Ia determinants of the I-A, the I-E, and the I-C subregions were all expressed on the I-J+ macrophage required for an in vitro antibody response.     

Class-specific regulation of anti-DNA antibody synthesis and the age-associated changes in (NZB x NZW)F1 hybrid mice

Investigations of regulatory helper and suppressor T cells in the in vitro anti-DNA antibody synthesis in NZB x NZW (B/W) F1 hybrid mice were initiated by the development of an in vitro system in which G10-passed B cells from B/W F1 mice were cocultured with mitomycin C-treated T cells in the presence of Con A and either in the presence or in the absence of LPS. It was revealed that each IgG and IgM anti-DNA antibody synthesis was under the regulation of separate L3T4+ helper and Ly-2+ suppressor T cells. The function of these class-specific regulatory T cells was age-dependent. Although the helper effect of L3T4+ T cells on IgG antibody synthesis increased, the effect of L3T4+ T cells on IgM antibody production decreased in B/W F1 mice with aging. The IgG anti-DNA antibody production in the cocultures of L3T4+ T cells and B cells was suppressed by addition of Ly-2+ T cells from young but not aged B/W F1 mice, whereas the production of IgM anti-DNA antibodies was suppressed by Ly-2+ T cells from aged but not young B/W F1 mice. We also found that although IgM anti-DNA antibody-producing B cells were already present in 2-mo-old mice, B cells producing IgG antibodies under the influence of L3T4+ T cells appeared in mice at 7 mo of age. These data clearly indicate that separate class-specific regulatory T cells are involved in the production of IgM and IgG anti-DNA antibodies and that the total serum level of the antibodies is reflected by both their age-associated changes and the generation of antibody-forming B cells in B/W F1 mice.     

Il-4 is an endogenous T cell growth factor during the immune response to a syngeneic retrovirus-induced tumor

The relative contributions of IL-2 and IL-4 during the immune response to the retrovirus-induced tumor, FBL, were examined. Both proliferative and cytolytic responses to FBL were measured and compared to similar responses to minor histocompatibility Ag. The addition of alpha IL-2 partially inhibited FBL-stimulated proliferation of purified L3T4+ T cells and nearly completely inhibited the response of Lyt-2+ T cells, whereas alpha IL-4 partially inhibited the proliferative response of the L3T4+ subset but had no effect on the response of the Lyt-2+ subset. The addition of exogenous IL-4 augmented the proliferative response of both subsets. Therefore, IL-4 is an endogenous growth factor for FBL-induced specific proliferation of the L3T4+ and not the Lyt-2+ population, but both subpopulations can respond to IL-4. Similar examination of anti-FBL CTL responses revealed that alpha IL-2, but not alpha IL-4, inhibited FBL-specific Lyt-2+ CTL generation. However, exogenous IL-4 partially replaced the L3T4+ Th cell activity necessary for optimal Lyt-2+ FBL-specific CTL generation. Therefore, IL-4 is not required but can participate in the CTL response. The role of IL-4 during the immune response of B6 mice to minor histocompatibility Ag disparate BALB.B cells was analyzed. alpha IL-4 had no detectable effect on the proliferative or cytolytic response to BALB.B cells, suggesting that endogenous IL-4 does not have a significant role in these responses. The extent of involvement of endogenous IL-4 in the T cell responses to retrovirus-induced tumor Ag and minor histocompatibility Ag presumably reflects the nature of the stimulating Ag, and detection of an IL-4 response may correlate with induction of an antibody response. Thus, the immunizing Ag and/or host B cell repetoire may influence which subsets of L3T4+ Th cells are activated during priming in vivo.     

Selective activation by thymus-dependent antigens of distinct B cell subpopulations expressing a major cross-reactive idiotype

We determined the B cell subpopulations that produce the major cross-reactive idiotype (CRIA) associated with the anti-phenylarsonate (ARS) antibody response of A/J mice. Specifically, we examined the B2 subpopulation found in normal mice which, in H-2b mice, bears the I-Ab-encoded determinant Ia.W39; the B1 subpopulation found in mice expressing the CBA/N X-linked immunodeficiency trait (xid); and the B1 subpopulation found in normal mice after the cytotoxic elimination of B2 cells with anti-Ia. W39 and complement. CRIA is expressed in each of these B cell subpopulations. Antigen plays a selective role in the stimulation of distinct B cell sets. ARS conjugates of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) can activate both the B1 and B2 subpopulations. In contrast, ARS conjugates of synthetic polypeptides under Ir gene control selectively activate the B2 subpopulation in strains that are genetic responders to the carrier. This leads to the establishment of CRIA dominance where CRIA+ anti-ARS antibody is 70 to 95% of the total anti-arsonate antibody response. This class of antigens fails to activate the B1 cells in either normal or xid mice. We compared the CRIA+ antibody produced by selectively activated B2 cells to that produced by the B1 subpopulation in xid mice. For these comparisons, we used competitive radioimmunoassays that employed polyspecific anti-CRIA antiserum or monoclonal anti-CRIA antibodies specific for distinct idiotopes on the heavy chain of CRIA+ antibody. B2 cells produce a CRIA+ anti-ARS antibody that is idiotopically uniform among individual mice, and that closely approximates the hybridoma protein 36-65 (the heavy chain of 36-65 represents the germ line-encoded sequence of the unique CRIA structural gene (25]. In contrast, the CRIA+ antibody produced by the B1 cell subset of xid mice is idiotopically diverse among individual mice, and differs markedly from the 36-65 hybridoma protein. The extent of diversification found in CRIA+ antibody depends on the B cell subpopulation that produces it.     

Proliferation of natural suppressor cells in long-term cultures of spleen cells from normal adult mice.

Natural suppressor cells were induced by culturing spleen cells from normal adult mice for 2 to 3 wk. The suppressor cells were large in size, nonadherent and nonspecifically suppressed the plaque-forming cells response of fresh spleen cells to SRBC in vitro. The suppressive activity of the cells was not affected by treatment with indomethacin or anti-Thy-1, anti-Ig, anti-Ia, or anti-asialoGM1 plus complement. Phenotype analysis by FACS showed that Thy-1, L3T4, Ly-2, CD3-epsilon, TCR-alpha beta, Ig, B220, Ia, and asialoGM1 Ag were all absent in the suppressor cells, although they were wheat germ agglutinin receptor positive. The suppressor cells did not demonstrate cytotoxicity against either YAC-1 or P-815 cells. Enriched large cell populations from fresh normal spleens expressed the same phenotypes and also exhibited the suppressive activity. These findings suggest that a minor population of natural suppressor cells exist in the normal adult mouse spleen and they proliferate during the in vitro culture of spleen cells.     

CD36 is differentially expressed on B cell subsets during development and in responses to antigen

Of a number of mAbs made by immunization with sort-purified marginal zone (MZ) B cells, one was shown to recognize the mouse scavenger receptor CD36. Although CD36 is expressed by most resting MZ B cells and not by follicular and B1 B cells, it is rapidly induced on follicular B cells in vitro following TLR and CD40 stimulation. In response to T-independent and T-dependent Ag challenge, we found that CD36 was expressed on IgM+ plasma cells, but down-regulated on isotype-switched plasma cells in vivo. Although development, localization, and phenotype of MZ B cells in CD36-/- mice appeared normal, there was a minor block in the transitional stages of mature B cell development. In both primary and secondary Ab responses to heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae (R36A strain), both phosphoryl choline (PC)-specific IgM and IgG levels in CD36-/- mice were slightly reduced compared with wild-type mice. In addition, mice deficient in both TLR2 and CD36 produced significantly reduced levels of anti-PC IgG titers than those of single gene-deficient mice, suggesting that they may cooperate in an anti-PC Ab response. Collectively, these results show that CD36 does not affect the development of B cells, but modulates both primary and secondary anti-PC Ab responses during S. pneumoniae infection similarly to TLR2.     

Immune dysfunction associated with graft-vs-host reaction in mice transplanted across minor histocompatibility barriers. II. Reversible defect in T-dependent antibody responses

B cell and Th cell functions were assessed in mice undergoing a graft-vs-host reaction (GvHR) in response to minor histocompatibility Ag by using the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response to the T-independent Ag TNP-Brucella abortus and the T-dependent Ag TNP-SRBC. Bone marrow plus spleen cells from B10.D2 mice were transplanted into lethally irradiated B10.D2 (syngeneic recipient) or H-2d-compatible BALB/c (allogeneic recipient) to produce a chronic form of GvHR. BALB/c recipients of an allogeneic transplant demonstrated a marked and proportional lymphoid depletion of the spleen with normal percentages of B cells, T cells, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Mice with GvHR made normal numbers of PFC/10(5) spleen cells in response to the T-independent Ag, but a significantly depressed number of PFC/10(5) spleen cells to the T-dependent Ag compared with normal B10.D2 mice and with irradiated B10.D2 recipients of syngeneic B10.D2 marrow plus spleen cells. Mice undergoing the minor Ag GvHR made significantly larger numbers of PFC/10(5) spleen cells after secondary immunization with TNP-SRBC compared with controls. In vitro assays demonstrated that B cells from mice with GvHR responded to T help from normal B10.D2 mice and that T cells from mice with GvHR provided help to normal B cells after in vivo immunization. These data demonstrate that radiation chimeras with GvHR in response to minor histocompatibility Ag have relatively normal B cell function and an apparent defect in T helper cell function that is reversible by immunization with appropriate Ag.     

The cellular location of a foreign B cell epitope expressed by recombinant bacteria determines its T cell-independent or T cell-dependent characteristics.

We have targeted two foreign B cell antigenic determinants to different locations in the Escherichia coli cell to examine what effect this had on antibody responses elicited by the recombinant bacteria. The two epitopes were the 132-145 peptide from the PreS2 region of hepatitis B virus and the C3 neutralization epitope of poliovirus type 1. They were each expressed in two forms either on the surface, as part of the outer-membrane protein LamB, or soluble in the periplasm, as part of the periplasmic protein MalE. When live bacteria expressing the foreign epitope at the cell surface were used for immunization of mice, they induced T cell-independent antibody responses characterized by a rapid induction of IgM and IgG antibodies. In contrast, when the same foreign epitope was inserted into the MalE protein, the antibody response was only detectable after 3 wk, belonged only to the IgG class and was strictly T cell dependent. This study has therefore identified two major pathways by which epitopes expressed by bacterial cells can stimulate specific antibody responses. The first pathway is mediated by direct activation of B cells by bacterial cell-surface Ag and does not require T cell help. The second pathway is T cell dependent and concerns Ag that can be released from the bacteria in a soluble form. We have also studied the effect of the exact position of the B cell antigenic determinant within the LamB protein and with respect to the outer membrane by comparing the immunogenicity of the PreS epitope inserted at three different permissive sites of LamB. The data indicated that to obtain an antibody response with intact bacteria, the epitope must be protruding sufficiently from the outside of the outer membrane. In contrast, when semipurified hybrid proteins were used as immunogen, the exact position of the B cell antigenic determinant within solubilized LamB protein does not influence its immunogenicity.     

Differential regulation of surface Ig- and Lyb2-mediated B cell activation by cyclic AMP. I. Evidence for alternative regulation of signaling through two different receptors linked to phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in murine B cells.

The differential effect of cAMP on the regulation of early biochemical and cellular functions mediated through two different receptors on murine B cells are reported here. Surface IgM, the Ag receptor, and Lyb2, a 45-kDa differentiation Ag are concomitantly expressed on mature murine B lymphocytes. Triggering of B cells through these molecules, independently, resulted in inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) generation, increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels, and cell enlargement associated with progression of cells from G0 to G1 ultimately resulting in DNA synthesis. Pretreatment of resting B cells with cholera toxin as well as other agents that raise the intracellular cAMP [(cAMP)i] such as forskolin, N6,2'-O-dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and 3-isobutyl-1 methyl xanthine inhibited the Ag receptor but not Lyb2-mediated DNA synthesis. The elevation of (cAMP)i inhibited the surface IgM but not Lyb2-mediated IP3 generation, Ca2+ response, and progression from G0 to G1 phase of the cell cycle. Failure of forskolin or N6,2'-O-dibutyryl cyclic AMP to inhibit Lyb2-mediated responses did not appear to be due to induction of cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase activity. Concentrations of H8 [N-(2-(methylamino)-ethyl)-5-isoquinoline sulfonamide, diHCl] inhibitory to cAMP dependent PKA prevented the inhibitory effect of forskolin on surface IgM-mediated Ca2+ response, suggesting that cAMP exerted its effects through PKA. These findings suggest that distinct PLC-coupled receptors, such as sIgM and Lyb2 molecules in B cells, may use either alternative mechanisms for phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis or may use different intermediary transducer molecules that differ in their sensitivity to increased (cAMP)i levels. Thus "cross-talk" among cAMP and phosphatidylinositol signaling pathways was demonstrated for IgM but not Lyb2-mediated B cell activation.     

Immune deficiency in chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Recombinant IL-1 restores Th function for antibody production

Mice with chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infections are unable to mount primary responses to T-dependent Ag, such as SRBC. Responses to SRBC were restored in vitro and in vivo with rIL-1. The cellular basis of the immunodeficiency and the mechanism of IL-1 action were investigated. B cells from infected mice were capable of normal levels of PFC production when provided with the appropriate signals, IL-2 plus IL-1. T cells from infected mice were unable to provide Th function to normal B cells. However, Th activity was provided by these cells if IL-1 was added to the cultures. Furthermore, T-depleted spleen cells from infected mice did not make antibody in the presence of normal T cells unless IL-1 was added to the cultures. Neutralizing antibody against IL-2 greatly reduced the augmentation by IL-1 of the antibody response of cells from infected mice. Together these results indicate that splenic B cells from infected mice are capable of antibody production, but that Th function is lacking in the spleens of infected mice. These results suggest that the inability of mice with T. cruzi infection to mount primary antibody responses to T-dependent Ag may be due to a macrophage defect lending to impairment of Th function. These results document the potential of IL-1 in restoring immune competence in an infectious disease model.