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Idiotypes on B lymphocytes: association with immunoglobulins
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|April 1, 1983
Summary
Idiotypic (Id) specificities on B cells are immunoglobulin in nature. Anti-Id antibodies specifically suppress B cell maturation and antibody responses, but do not stimulate B cell proliferation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Idiotypic (Id) specificities, which are immunoglobulin (Ig) in nature, are found on the membranes of B cells in non-immune mice.
- These determinants are present on a small percentage of B cells and are not observed on pre-B cell lines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional properties of anti-Idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies in B cell responses.
- To determine if anti-Id antibodies possess mitogenic properties or modulate B cell maturation and antibody production.
Main Methods:
- Immunofluorescence was used to detect Id specificities on B cells.
- In vitro and in utero exposure of mice to anti-Id antibodies.
- Assessment of B cell proliferation using 3H-thymidine incorporation and mitogen stimulation (LPS).
- Evaluation of antibody responses and lymphocyte maturation into plasma cells.
Main Results:
- Anti-Id antibodies did not induce significant B cell proliferation or act as mitogens.
- In vitro and in utero exposure to anti-Id antibodies specifically suppressed antibody responses and plasma cell maturation.
- Maternal anti-Id exposure in utero resulted in suppressed immune responses to specific antigens but normal responses to mitogens.
Conclusions:
- Id determinants on B lymphocytes are exclusively associated with Ig receptors.
- Anti-Id antibodies do not possess inherent mitogen-like polyclonal stimulatory properties.
- Anti-Id antibodies play a crucial role in regulating B cell maturation and specific antibody production.