Human B cell function in a polyclonally induced plaque forming cell system. Cell triggering and immunoregulation

The use of a sensitive PFC assay against a specific antigenic determinant (SRBC) following polyclonal triggering of human lymphocytes has provided a unique insight into the complex mechanisms of triggering of human B cells. The system is under the strict regulation of a delicate balance between helper and suppressor influences reflecting in certain circumstances the activity of distinct subsets of immunoregulatory cells. Lymphoid cells in certain diseases characterized by disordered immunoregulation, when as system, may in effect be manifesting an abnormal expression of immunoregulatory mechanisms operable in normal immune responses. In vivo activation of lymphoid cells by PBAs may have an important role in disease states as well as in the subsequent in vitro expression of B cell function. Furthermore, it is quite possible that under certain circumstances some B cell responses which appear to be purely antigen-specific may be reflections of synergy between PBA substances and specific antigen. The use of PBAs as probes and sensitive PVC systems as assays has already proven fruitful in the dissection of the complex mechanisms of nonspecific B cell triggering in man and may indeed ultimately lead to an understanding of the mechanisms of specificity of immune reactivity.