Functional heterogeneity of virgin and memory B murine lymphocytes revealed by the utilization of cyclosporin A: an overview

The effects of cyclosporin A on the generation and revelation of B memory cells by thymus-independent (TI) antigens was investigated. A class 1 (TNP-LPS) and a class 2 (TNP-Ficoll) TI antigens were used for priming an elicitation. Evidence is presented that cyclosporin A does not interfere with the generation of hapten-specific (TNP) B memory cells by TNP-LPS or DNP-Ficoll. Cyclosporin A does not affect the revelation of B memory cells by TNP-LPS, but inhibits their revelation by TNP-Ficoll. These findings are discussed in terms of two distinct B cell lineages leading to antibody-forming cells and memory cells precursors, and in terms of heterogeneity of B memory cells.