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.