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Evidence for idiotypic sharing between conventional and naturally activated B cells
C H Song1, G B Calandra, A Miller
1Department of Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Torrance 90509.
European Journal of Immunology
|September 1, 1991
Summary
A specific idiotype (IdXE) found in primary immune responses also appears in spontaneously activated B cells. This suggests a unified immune system, not separate network and antigen-stimulated compartments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- B cell biology
- Immune repertoire
Background:
- The primary immune response to hen egg-white lysozyme (HEL) involves antibody-forming cells (AFC), with about 50% expressing IdXE.
- IdXE is typically absent in the secondary immune response to HEL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of IdXE in spontaneously activated B cells.
- To determine if IdXE+ cells in the spontaneous repertoire are antigen-specific.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of spleen cells from naive A/J mice using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-AFC.
- Utilized two affinity-purified rabbit antisera (R213 and R8) specific for IdXE.
- Employed direct coating and biotinylated antibody development ELISA-AFC assay methods.
- Tested inhibition by IdXE+ and IdXE- anti-HEL monoclonal antibodies.
Main Results:
- 10-20% of spontaneous IgM AFC were found to be IdXE+ across various ages.
- IdXE+ monoclonal antibodies (2F4, 3C11) completely inhibited binding of R8 to spontaneous IgM-AFC.
- IdXE- monoclonal antibodies (5E11, 2C7) showed no significant inhibition.
- Over 90% of IdXE+ spontaneous IgM-AFC were not specific for HEL.
Conclusions:
- A significant population of spontaneously activated B cells expresses IdXE, a feature previously associated with antigen-driven responses.
- These findings challenge the notion of distinct immune system compartments (network vs. non-network).
- Suggests that idiotopes play a crucial role in both conventional and spontaneous B cell activation.