Immune response against the T-independent antigen alpha (1----3) dextran. II. Occurrence of B gamma memory cells in the course of immunization with the native polysaccharide is T cell dependent

The immune response of BALB/c mice against the bacterial antigen dextran B1355S [alpha (1----3)dextran] (Dex), a class 2 T cell-independent antigen, is largely restricted to IgM class antibody production. However, despite the fact that Dex fails to give rise to enhanced IgG responses upon repeated immunization, the development of Dex-specific B gamma memory cells, i.e. resting B cells committed to the production of specific IgG antibodies, is observed upon immunization with Dex. These B gamma memory cells, albeit not activated to IgG production in situ, can be activated upon adoptive transfer into irradiated congenic BALB Ighb mice. This mouse strain is a nonresponder strain to Dex. The expression of adoptively transferred Dex-specific B gamma memory cells is T cell-independent as T cell depletion of spleen prior to cell transfer into BALB.Ighb recipients does not abolish the IgG response. Dex-primed athymic BALB/c nude mice, in contrast to euthymic mice, give a pronounced primary IgG response but do not develop Dex-specific B gamma memory cells. Yet, they do so when reconstituted with syngenic T cells prior to immunization. This indicates that the formation of Dex-specific B gamma memory cells requires the presence of functional T cells. The pronounced primary IgG anti-Dex response of nude mice is greatly impaired by T cell reconstitution. Thus, with regard to T cell dependence, there is an inverse relationship between the formation of B gamma memory cells and the capacity to produce IgG anti-Dex. Dex-specific B gamma memory cells from BALB/c mice are expressed in congenic BALB.Ighb recipients (nonresponder to Dex) but not when transferred into identically treated syngenic hosts. This also applies to memory cells from Dex-primed female (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 [NBF1] or from (BALB/c X CBA/N)F1 hybrids. Dex-specific B gamma memory cells from these donors are demonstrable upon adoptive transfer into BALB.Ighb mice, but they are not expressed when transferred into syngenic recipients, including male NBF1 hybrids. NBF1 males, albeit possessing the VH-Dex+ allele, do not mount humoral responses to Dex, a deficiency which is ascribed to an X chromosome-linked B cell defect. The apparent absence of Dex-specific antibodies in NBF1 males provides an opportunity to examine whether B gamma memory cell expression is inhibited in syngenic recipients by anti-Dex or autologous anti-idiotype antibodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Normal T splenocytes are able to induce immunoglobulin allotypic suppression in F1 hybrid mice

A chronic suppression of Igh-1b and Igh-3b (IgG2a and IgG2b of b haplotype) allotype expression has been induced by injecting T splenocytes from normal BALB/c or BC8 mice into newborn F1 hybrids of appropriate Igh congenic strains: BALB/c into (BALB/c Igha X CB20 Ighb)F1 and BC8 into (BC8 Igha X C57BL/6 Ighb)F1 or (C57BL/6 X BC8)F1. This suppression does not affect IgM (IgH-6b) or IgA (Igh-2b) expression. When the Ighb haplotype is paternally transmitted, the proportion of T splenocyte recipients showing allotypic suppression increases with time reaching 70% 40 weeks after birth. We also succeeded in inducing this pattern of suppression in 2 out of 13 cases when the Ighb was inherited from the mother. These normal T splenocytes are therefore clearly allotype specific. As Igh-6b production is not affected by the suppression, these T splenocytes are believed to influence B cells more or less committed to Igh-1b or Igh-3b production rather than more precocious Igh-6b (IgM of b haplotype) carrying precursors in the classical IgM-IgG filiation pathway.     

Immune response against the T-independent antigen alpha (1 leads to 3) dextran. I. Demonstration of an unexpected IgG response of athymic and germ-free-raised euthymic BALB/c mice

The primary antibody response in BALB/c mice to the T-independent bacterial antigen dextran B1355S [alpha(1 leads to 3)dextran] (Dex) was studied by means of isoelectric focusing, hemagglutination and immunodiffusion techniques. In response to a single immunization with 10 micrograms Dex all mice produce specific IgM antibodies. In addition, about 30% of conventionally raised BALB/c and BALB/c nu/ + mice, but 95% of germ-free (GF)-raised normal BALB/c and 100% of athymic BALB/c nu/nu mice produce specific IgG class anti-Dex antibodies. These antibodies include all IgG subclasses, carry predominantly the lambda light chain and the cross-reactive J558 idiotype and are specific for the alpha(1 leads to 3)glucosidic linkage. As compared to athymic and GF-raised mice, conventionally raised mice exhibit only a weak IgG response. The pronounced IgG production of GF-raised mice was not altered when adult mice were removed from their GF environment and housed under conventional conditions for several weeks prior to immunization with Dex. Reconstitution with isolated splenic T cells from conventionally raised, unprimed BALB/c mice reduces the remarkable capacity of BALB/c nu/nu mice to produce IgG anti-Dex antibodies. These findings suggest that the reduced capacity of conventionally raised BALB/c mice to mount an IgG response to the T-independent antigen Dex is due to a T cell-mediated suppressive mechanism which is neonatally induced by contact with environmental, i.e. bacterial, antigens.     

Thymus-independent induction of idiotype suppression in newborn mice by syngeneic anti-idiotype antisera

BALB/c and BALB/c nu/nu mice were shown to express to a variable extent in their response against dextran B1355S (Dex), an idiotype which is present on the Dex-reactive BALB/c myeloma protein MOPC 104E. Injection of minute amounts of syngeneic anti-MOPC 104E idiotype antisera into neonatal euthymic or athymic BALB/c mice suppressed this idiotype in the Dex-specific response of the adult animals. When spleen cells from suppressed BALB/c mice were transferred into irradiated BALB Ighb mice the state of suppression persisted. Data are discussed with respect to possible mechanisms regulating expression of this idiotype.     

xid mice fail to express an anti-dextran immune response but carry alpha(1-3)dextran-specific lymphocytes in their potential repertoire

Even after repeated immunizations with alpha(1-3)dextran (Dex) male (CBA/N x BALB/c)F1 mice fail to produce specific antibodies whereas nondefective female littermates express an idiotype-positive anti-Dex immune response. This failure of xid mice to express serum anti-Dex immunoglobulins is not only limited to immunization with the thymus-independent (TI-2) antigen Dex, since immunization with anti-idiotypic antibodies against Dex-specific idiotypes does not overcome this defect. When xid lymphocytes are cultured in the presence of mitogens, in vitro anti-Dex responses are markedly reduced. We show here that alpha(1-3)Dex-specific hybridomas can be established by fusion of splenic lymphocytes from xid mice to Sp2/0 myeloma cells. Therefore, these mice do carry the potential to generate B cells specific for Dex. All hybridoma antibodies were found to be of IgM isotype, bearing the lambda light chain typical for alpha(1-3)Dex-specific antibodies. Whereas monoclonal anti-Dex antibodies obtained from spleen cell hybridomas from female littermates showed variable idiotope patterns, hybridoma proteins from the immune-defective NBF1-xid mouse expressed only a limited pattern of Dex-specific idiotopes, suggesting that these hybridomas derived from a common precursor.     

Influence of first-wave derived T lymphocytes in the long term functional reconstitution of allogeneic T cell deficient hosts

The functional immunological reconstitution and the patterns of cytokine secretion were comparatively studied in BALB/c nu/nu mice grafted with allogeneic B6.Thy-1.1+ E14 or E18 embryonic thymus. In spite of equivalent proliferative responses to both mitogen or MLR stimuli, the two groups presented different cytokine patterns. B6 E18-thymus grafted BALB/c nu/nu mice showed a predominant IL-2/IFN-gamma secretion in response to mitogen or to CBA haplotype, with insignificant secretion of either cytokine to the tolerated BALB/c or donor B6 haplotype. In contrast, E14 grafted mice showed a significant IL-10 secretion, both in response to mitogens or to the tolerated haplotypes, even in the absence of a detectable proliferative response. A significant IFN-gamma secretion appeared only accompanying high responses to CBA. The preferential Th2 profile associated to the E14 chimeras was coincident with a longer lifespan of the nude host kept in a conventional environment, higher CD3+ cells frequency in the blood and functional restoration of allogeneic skin graft rejection, not seen on the E18 chimeras. The meaning of these results is discussed in relation to the previously described longer persistence of the first-wave donor derived lymphocytes in the allogeneic BALB/c periphery, also exclusive of the E14 grafted group.     

B cell dependence of the congeneic barrier towards idiotype-carrying cells

Immune cells transferred into nonirradiated animals of the same genotype face a barrier which severely affects their capacity to function in the host. We studied this phenomenon in allotype-congeneic animals. When anti-dextran immune cells of the responder strain (BALB/c-Igha) are injected into an allotype-congeneic host (BALB-Ighb) the grafted cells are suppressed to give an idiotype-positive response. This congeneic barrier of thymus-independent immune cells is lost in mice carrying an X-linked B cell defect: when idiotype-positive immune cells from responder (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 mice are transplanted into congeneic nonresponder animals (CBA/N X BALB-Ighb)F1, female recipients are nonpermissive towards grafted cells whereas B cell-defective male littermates allow donor cells to develop an idiotype-positive anti-dextran response. These results show that the congeneic barrier towards dextran-immune cells is related to the maturation stage of B cells in the recipient. Since B cell-defective (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 animals do not display an anti-idiotypic response in contrast to intact littermates and because CB16-KN mice are nonpermissive towards CB8-K lymphocytes, differing in VH genes only, we suggest that the "isogeneic barrier" depends on a mechanism recognizing VH structures.     

Cremophor EL as an adjuvant affecting immunoglobulin class switch in the immune response to the thymus-independent antigen alpha(1- greater than 3) dextran B 1355 S.

The humoral immune response to the so-called thymus independent antigen dextran B 1355 S in conventionally raised BALB/c mice consists solely of IgM antibodies. Expression of IgG anti-Dex antibodies in these mice is prevented by pre- or perinatally activated idiotype-specific T-suppressor lymphocytes. IgG B-memory cells nevertheless develop during the course of immunization, but are arrested in an anergic state. In the presence of Cremophor EL the induction of this anergic state is inhibited and the immune response shifts fully to an IgG anti-Dex response.     

A myeloma M 104E private idiotope is represented predominantly among anti-dextran, peritoneal cavity Ly-1+ precursor B cells.

Public and private idiotopes (Id) had been defined in the BALB/c anti-dextran B1355 fraction S (Dex) response by means of syngeneic monoclonal anti-M 104E Id antibodies. Most of the primary anti-Dex antibodies shared the public Id-1 while the private Id-5 constituted a comparatively low, but highly variable proportion of humoral anti-Dex antibodies of individual mice. In the present work we have analyzed by limiting dilution the expression of these two Id by anti-Dex B cell precursors from the spleen and peritoneal cavity of BALB/c mice. Testing spleen cells we found about 65% of anti-Dex precursors to be Id-1+ and only a minority to be Id-5+. Treatment with anti-Ly-1 and complement was without any effect on anti-Dex precursors from spleen. Anti-Dex B cell precursors among peritoneal cavity lymphocytes differed from those found in the spleen in two ways. First, on average, 50% of them were Id-5+; second, about 80% carried the Ly-1 marker. Both markers are, therefore, expressed on at least 30% of anti-Dex B cell precursors from the peritoneal cavity but rarely on anti-Dex precursors from the spleen.     

Mycobacterium lepraemurium infection of nude athymic (nu/nu) mice.

Nude athymic (nu/nu) mice on a BALB/c background and their heterozygous euthymic litter mates (nu/+) were infected with either 10(8) or 10(6) Mycobacterium lepraemurium organisms intravenously or in the left hind footpad (LHF). After LHF infection with 10(8) M. lepraemurium organisms, nu/+ mice slowly developed a response that consisted of LHF swelling and local resistance to Listeria monocytogenes. The lower inoculum induced a proportionately lower response in nu/+ mice, but the nu/nu mice developed neither LHF swelling nor resistance to L. monocytogenes in response to either dose of M. lepraemurium. Counts of M. lepraemurium in the LHF revealed no difference between the nu/+ mice and nu/nu mice. After intravenous infection the nu/+ mice developed splenomegaly, but did not otherwise differ from nu/nu mice with respect to resistance to intravenous challenge with L. monocytogenes or growth of M. lepraemurium in the spleen. In light of the poor responsiveness of nu/+ mice in this experiment, they were then compared with CB6 and B6D2 mice, which are genetically susceptible and resistant to M. lepraemurium, respectively. These mice were infected with either 10(8) or 10(6) M. lepraemurium cells or 10(6) Mycobacterium bovis BCG cells in the LHF. Once again the nu/+ mice responded poorly to M. lepraemurium, the CB6 mice responded very strongly, and the B6D2 mice gave an intermediate response with respect to LHF swelling and resistance to L. monocytogenes. However, M. lepraemurium grew to higher numbers in the LHF of nu/+ and CB6 mice than in B6D2 mice, revealing, in CB6 mice, a dissociation between resistance to L. monocytogenes and M. lepraemurium. All three mouse strains responded strongly to M. bovis BCG, but there was a suggestion that nu/+ mice might be more susceptible to this agent than the other two strains. I concluded that the failure of nu/+ mice to restrict the growth of M. lepraemurium more than nu/nu mice was due to the intrinsic genetic susceptibility of both types of mice. In effect, the nu/+ mice behaved like nu/nu mice, as if they too were deficient in T lymphocytes that were responsive to M. lepraemurium.     

Enhancement in Igha mouse strains of the "natural" suppressive activity of normal T splenocytes against the expression of Igh-1b allotype. I. Molecular aspects of the chronic suppression obtained

Several approaches have been used in our attempts to increase the "natural" ability of normal T splenocytes (Tn) from BALB/c or BC8 mice (both Igha) to induce, in F1 hybrids, a suppression of Igh-1b expression (IgG2a of b haplotype). These heterozygous F1 were produced by mating these Igha mice and their Ighb-congenic partners (CB20 and C57BL/6, respectively). The most powerful approaches were to sensitize the Igha mice by either autologous splenocytes coated with Igh-1b or B splenocytes from Ighb-congenic mice. In F1 having paternally inherited the b haplotype the sensitized T splenocytes (Ts) prepared from such mice are able to induce, like Tn, when injected at birth, a chronic suppression of Igh-1b expression. However, the suppression was established with a much higher efficiency: already at 6 weeks of age in 100% of the F1 treated with 1 x 10(7) Ts, vs. a final rate of 70% progressively reached only at 42 weeks of age in the F1 treated with 4 x 10(7) Tn. In F1 having maternally inherited Ighb the differences were even more pronounced than with 4 x 10(7) Tn, i.e. the suppression induction was almost totally ineffective, whereas with 2 x 10(7)-4 x 10(7) Ts, a rate of 100% treated F1 subjected to suppression was reached at 19 weeks of age. As the productions of IgM, IgD and IgA of the b haplotype were not affected by the suppression, the Ts are believed to act on the Igh-1b+ cells. Attempts were also made to induce allotypic suppression of other b allotypes by the use, as sensitizing cells, of myeloma cells carrying Igh-6b (IgM of b haplotype). We failed in revealing any sign of a T cell reactivity against Igh-6b similar to the reactivity against Igh-1b. The use of Igh-6b+ myeloma cells grown in an Ighb or in an Igha background allowed us to assume that the cells responsible for the sensitization are, in the Ighb B lymphocyte population, either the Igh-1b+ lymphocytes or the lymphocytes having passively adsorbed this allotype, or both.     

Completely allogeneic spleen cells induced cytolytic neonatal tolerance to alloantigens,but failed to establish allo-helper interactions with host T cells.

The injection of spleen cells from F1 mice into-newborns from a parental strain results in the establishment of cytolytic tolerance to donor alloantigens and the development of a lupus-like disease. This syndrome is the consequence of the recognition by alloreactive host CD4+ T cells of discordant major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens on semi-allogeneic donor B cells. We have analysed whether completely allogeneic spleen cells are as able as semi-allogeneic spleen cells to induce cytolytic tolerance to donor alloantigens and to co-operate with alloreactive T cells for autoantibody production. BALB/c mice were injected at birth with Thy-1-depleted spleen cells from (C57BL/6 x BALB/c)F1 or C57BL/6 mice, either alone or in combination. Cytolytic tolerance was always induced, as manifested by persistence of chimerism and acceptance of skin allografts. However, only F1 semi-allogeneic B cells were activated by alloreactive host T cells to produce anti-DNA IgG antibody. The deficient co-operation between BALB/c CD4+ T cells and completely allogeneic C57BL/6 B cells was confirmed after neonatal injection of (C57BL/ 6 x BALB/c)F1(Igha) spleen cells together with C57BL/6(Ighb) spleen cells. These mice developed anti-DNA antibodies bearing only the Igha allotype. Similar results were observed in experiments of allogeneic interaction in vitro, in which BALB/c CD4+ T cells were cocultured with either (C57BL/6 x BALB/c)F1 or C57BL/6 B cells. The present results demonstrate that completely allogeneic spleen cells efficiently induced cytolytic unresponsiveness to donor alloantigens, but B cells contained in this spleen cell population were unable to establish allo-helper interactions with alloreactive CD4+ T cells, suggesting that cytolytic and helper T-cell interactions involved in alloreactivity may be different.     

CD3+ T-cells in severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) mice. III. Transferred congenic, selfreactive CD4+ T cell clones rescue IgM-producing, scid-derived B cells.

Young severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) mice completely lack immunocompetent lymphocytes. Limiting numbers of purified CD4+ T cells from allotype-congenic BALB/c (Igha) donor mice were transplanted into 3-week-old scid (Ighb) recipient mice. Splenic CD4+ T cells were recovered from transplanted scid mice 10-12 weeks post-transfer and established as T cell lines in culture. These T cell populations proliferated in vitro in response to syngeneic stimulator cells. T cell clones derived in vitro from these T cell lines displayed selfreactive recognition specificity: these CD4+ T cells proliferated in vitro in response to syngeneic/congeneic but not allogeneic stimulator cells. Cloned selfreactive T cells retransplanted into young scid recipients were engrafted into spleens of secondary recipients, did not induce autoimmune disease but stimulated development of scid-derived (Ighb), IgM-producing B cells (B cell leakiness).     

Blockade of CTLA-4 (CD152) enhances the murine antibody response to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides

The capsular polysaccharides (caps-PS) of Streptococcus pneumoniae are classified as thymus-independent antigens. Nevertheless, T lymphocytes can modulate the antibody response to caps-PS. In this study, we show that anticytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) treatment, along with administration of caps-PS to BALB/c mice, resulted in a dose-dependent generation of a strong caps-PS-specific antibody response. Anti-CTLA-4 treatment had no effect on the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody production in athymic nu/nu mice. Anti-CTLA-4 treatment stimulated the IgG antibody production in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)/SCID mice reconstituted with CTLA-4(-/-) B lymphocytes and wild-type T lymphocytes. This excluded the possibility that anti-CTLA-4 enhanced antibody production by direct interaction with B lymphocytes. Anti-CTLA-4 treatment enhanced the antibody production in SCID/SCID mice reconstituted with B lymphocytes and CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes but not in SCID/SCID mice reconstituted with B lymphocytes in the absence of CD4(+) and/or CD8(+) cells. Administration of anti-CTLA-4 in BALB/c mice but not in nu/nu mice resulted in a markedly increased production of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and interferon-gamma. Taken together, these data strongly suggest a role of T lymphocytes and CTLA-4 in the regulation of the antibody response to caps-PS.     

The role of T cells in mouse cytomegalovirus myocarditis.

BALB/c mice infected with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) developed myocarditis. Athymic nu/nu mice infected with the virus did not develop myocarditis, in contrast to heterozygous T-cell competent nu/+mice. MCMV-infected BALB/c mice given cyclosporin A(CsA) a drug which inhibits the activation of T cells, showed a delay in the development of myocarditis relative to CsA-untreated mice infected with MCMV. However, BALB/c mice infected with MCMV, regardless of CsA treatment, developed both anti-MCMV antibodies and autoantibodies. Nu/nu mice infected with MCMV did not produce the anti-MCMV antibody response or the multiple autoantibody response which was observed in nu/+ MCMV-infected mice. Both nu/nu and CsA-treated animals displayed greater organ distribution of viral antigen than control MCMV-infected animals. These results suggest that the presence of a thymus is required for both the development of myocarditis and the multiple autoantibody response, which includes autoantibodies to cardiac muscle, and that CsA immunosuppression does not abrogate either myocarditis or the antibody response in mice following MCMV infection.     

Stimulation of the Same B-Cell Population by Thymus-Independent Dextran and by Thymus-Dependent Oligosaccharide-Carrier

The immune response of adult BALB/c mice against the bacterial antigen dextran B13558 (Dex) is well characterized as thymus independent (TI type 2) and Igh^a linked. The antisera consist of mainly IgM/ antibodies directed against the λ(1 → 3) glucosidic linkage. This study describes the immune reponse against the α(1 → 3) linkage in the thymus dependent form (TD), i. e. tetra- or heptasaccharides (N4 or N7) of glucose as hapten coupled to chicken serum albumin (CSA) as carrier. Whereas athymic BALB/c-nu/nu mice did not respond to the TD antigens N4-CSA and N7-CSA, euthymic BALB/c showed high anti-Dex antibody titres of IgM and, after 2° immunization, a class switch to IgG (mainly IgGl) isotypes with λ light chains. The hapten N4 inhibited Dex-binding of M104E or of antisera from Dex or N4-CSA or N7-CSA immunized mice at 1.7–10 × 10⁴M. The idiotype composition of these antibodies resembled those after Dex immunization. We conclude that the same Dex-specific precursor B cells have been stimulated by either form of antigen. The ontogenic development of a Dex-specific response could not be accelerated by the aid of T cells, even of adult origin. It seems, therefore, that the maturation of antigen specific B cells is the limiting step in ontogeny.     

The Immune Response to Bacterial Dextrans

C57BL/6 mice respond to Dextran B512 (Dex) with a predominant idiotype (Id) (17-9) while no such Id-positive antibodies are identified in the specific antibody response of BALB/c mice. We used limiting dilution systems to determine the absolute frequencies of clonal B-cell precursors producing the 17-9 Id in these two mouse strains and analysed the correlation between Id-expression and antibody activity at the clonal level. The results show very similar frequencies of anti-Dex and Id-positive B cells in both strains, but C57BL/6 mice contained fourfold higher frequencies of Dex-specific clonal precursors which are Id-positive. This kind of clone, although not used in the specific response of BALB/c mice, constitute roughly 20% of their anti-Dex repertoire and they are readily induced in this strain. Thus, immunization of both strains with anti-idiotypic antibodies results in the production of Id-positive anti-Dex antibodies with serum titres that directly correlate with precursor frequencies. The results show, therefore, that the section of clonal repertoires utilized in a primary immune response varies with the immunogen, even if thymus-independent. These observations are discussed in the context of the genetic controls of anti-Dex antibody responses and on the general question of the utilization of available antibody repertoires in immune responses.     

Idiotype suppression by maternal influence.

In BALB/c mice, antibodies to the alpha-(1-3) glucosidic linkage of some dextrans (Dex) carry the idiotype of the BALB/c myeloma protein J558. Both specific antibody and idiotype are inherited in a dominant fashion, linked to the immunoglobulin (Ig) (heavy chain) allotype Igla of BALB/c mice (Eur. J. Immunol. 1975. 5: 775). In F1 hybrid mice from the parent strains SJL and BALB/c, we were able to suppress the expression of anti-Dex antibodies by immunizing prospective SJL mothers to the J558 idiotype. The state of suppression in the progeny was ascertained by immunization with Dex, and tests for the following were carried out: (a) antibodies specific for Dex; (b) inhibition of such antibodies (if present) by antiidiotypic serum to protein J558; (c) presence of the J558 idiotype; and (d) concentration of lambda1 chains (which are associated with the 558 idiotype) in the serum. SJL mothers, once immunized, conferred suppression upon several successive litters, spanning a period of 4-5 months. Suppression in F1 progeny animals lasted for 16 weeks or more. Spleen cells from suppressed F1 mice which had neither been treated with Dex nor with J558 protein, were able to confer suppression to further F1 newborn mice.     

Igh allotype-linked control of immune complex-type hypersensitivity induced by hepatitis B surface antigen.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) induced an immune complex-type hypersensitivity which developed at 5-6 hr after the challenge and could be transferred by anti-HBs antisera, in addition to the delayed-type hypersensitivity in B10.BR mice. The pre-S region of HBsAg influenced this induction because the pre-S-depleted HBsAg or recombinant major S protein could not stimulate this 5-hr ear swelling. The male B10.BR mice responded better than the female ones, probably due to the inhibition by female hormone. Furthermore, HBsAg could also induce an early-occurring hypersensitivity which appeared within 1 hr of the antigen challenge. However, B10.BR mice did not exhibit this hypersensitivity; B6 mice expressed all three types of hypersensitivity (1 hr, 5 hr and 24 hr) and BALB/c mice showed only 1-hr and 24-hr responses. The expression of the immune complex-type seems to be determined by the Ighb gene or gene(s) closely associated to it. Mice bearing the Igh-1b allotype could be stimulated by HBsAg to induce the immune-complex type hypersensitivity. Moreover, it was the high specific binding not the titre of anti-HBs antibodies that influenced the exhibition of immune complex-type hypersensitivity.     

Role of T-lymphocytes in production of antibody to antigens of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi and other Rickettsia species.

The requirement of thymus-dependent lymphocytes for antibody production to Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia akari, Rickettsia conorii, and Rickettsia typhi was investigated by comparing antibody production in athymic (nu/nu) or thymus-bearing BALB/c mice. Athymic BALB/c mice produced antibody after infection with R. akari, R. conorii, and R. typhi as measured by indirect fluorescent antibody titration or radioimmunoassay. Antibody production in these mice was a great or greater than in the thymus-bearing mice and demonstrated similar kinetics. In contrast, athymic BALB/c mice infected either intraperitoneally or subcutaneously with the Gilliam strain of R. tsutsugamushi failed to produce demonstrable antibody. The requirement of thymus-dependent lymphocytes for antibody production to R. tsutsugamushi was further suggested by the demonstration of antibody production after transfer of immune thymus-dependent lymphocytes to athymic mice and the demonstration of R. tsutsugamushi-specific T helper cells in immune thymus-bearing mice. The antibody produced in athymic mice after infection with R. akari, R. conorii, and R. typhi was predominantly immunoglobulin M, based on isotype-specific radioimmunoassays and sucrose gradient fractionation. Furthermore, the antibody produced by athymic mice in response to R. akari infection reacted with a carbohydrate-containing outer membrane component.