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Control of latent allotype expression by rabbit splenocytes
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|July 1, 1981
Summary
Rabbit splenocytes can be induced to express latent allotypes, suggesting normally suppressed lymphocytes can be activated. This research explores cellular control mechanisms in immunoglobulin allotype expression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Serologic and chemical studies indicate immunoglobulin structural genes are controlled nonallellically.
- The appearance of unexpected (latent) allotypes suggests operative cellular control mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the induction of latent allotype expression in cultured rabbit splenocytes.
- To understand the cellular control mechanisms governing immunoglobulin allotype expression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the protein A plaque assay to enumerate allotype-specific plaque-forming cells (PFCs).
- Cultured splenocytes from b4 b4 rabbits in the presence of anti-b4 alloantisera.
Main Results:
- Culture with anti-b4 alloantisera suppressed nominal b4 PFCs and increased latent allotype-expressing PFCs.
- The specificity of induced latent PFCs depended on the antiserum's source and allotypic mosaic.
Conclusions:
- Lymphocytes committed to latent allotypes appear to be normally suppressed.
- Activation by specific alloantiserum may relieve a cell-mediated suppressive mechanism, inducing latent allotype expression.