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Acquisition of paralytic activity by inducer cells
S K Hu1, D D Eardley, R K Gershon
1Laboratory of Immunopathology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
The Journal of Molecular and Cellular Immunology : JMCI
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Activated inducer cells initially provide help for B cells but later develop the ability to induce immune tolerance, or paralysis, in virgin B cells. This shift in function is regulated by interactions with antigen-presenting cells and specific gene products.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Inducer cells activated by antigen and MHC class II molecules synthesize unique mRNAs.
- These mRNA changes occur approximately 3 days post-activation, prompting investigation into functional shifts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if Ly1 inducer cell activity changes qualitatively or quantitatively after activation.
- To ascertain if functional changes are intrinsic to Ly1 cells or dependent on environmental signals, particularly from antigen-presenting cells.
Main Methods:
- Purified Ly1 cells and splenic adherent cells were co-cultured in vitro for 1-7 days.
- Inducer activity was assessed by co-culturing with B cells and sheep erythrocytes (SRBC), with anti-SRBC plaque-forming cells counted.
Main Results:
- Inducer cells incubated with adherent cells for over 72 hours lost the ability to induce B cell antibody production.
- These activated inducer cells induced paralysis in virgin B cells, preventing T-helper signals.
- Paralysis acquisition required an I-E gene-regulated interaction between inducer and activated adherent cells, independent of antigen.
Conclusions:
- Immune cell interactions with antigen-presenting cells lead to sequential inducer and paralytic activities.
- This sequential expression is driven by distinct signals from resting and activated adherent cells.
- Paralytic inducer activity may play a physiological role in preventing harmful immune responses.