Prevention of immunoglobulin production by allotype-dependent T cells

Adoptive lymphocyte transfers between Iga, Igb and Igd allotype-congenic mouse strains revealed host barriers against the production of certain donor allotypes. First, as recipients of Igb cells, Iga and Igd mice permitted the production of donor Ig-4b but not that of Ig-1 b. The apparent mediators of this Ig-1 b barrier were T cells specific for Ig- 1 b determinants on B cells. Additional cell transfers showed Iga mice to have a second barrier against allotype production by Igd donor cells. Reciprocal cell transfers showed Igb and Igd mice to have comparatively weak barriers against Iga-producing cells. As host barriers were absent in mice deficient for T cells (athymic nude mice), it appears that they are T cell-mediated. Further, the allotype-dependence of such barriers means that the antigens responsible must be under the control of allotype-linked genes. The regulatory implications of this for the immune system are discussed.