From cell biology to immunology--a short trip

Immunologic memory and immunoglobulin allotype suppression are discussed as problems in Cell Biology. Memory, the ability of an animal after a first antigenic exposure to give a heightened and faster immune response upon a second exposure to the same antigen, is shown to be a property of bone marrow-derived cell lines. Expression of this memory depends on interaction with thymus-derived cells from either non-immunized or immunized mice. Chronic allotype suppression is described for the first time. It is initiated by in utero or neonatal exposure of (SJL × BALB/c)F₁ mice, allotype a/b, to anti b antibody. Suppression lasts for long periods and continues in irradiated recipients which have received lymphoid cells from suppressed donors. Selection against b allotype producing cell precursors can explain suppression.