Maturation of the immune response to (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)-acetyl (NP) haptens in C57BL/6 mice

Changes with time in specificity and affinity of anti-NP antibodies in C57BL/6 mice after immunization with NP22-chicken gamma-globulin (CGG) were studied by comparing the abilities of the antibodies to bind to NP3-bovine serum albumin (NP3-BSA) at pH 5 and 8. Early anti-NP antibodies (on day 14 after immunization) bound to NP3-BSA at pH 8, but not pH 5. This pH-dependence of binding was explained in terms of the low affinity of the antibody to the phenolic form of NP on the basis of results of fluorescence quenching titration of a monoclonal anti-NP antibody that showed similar specificity to that of the early anti-NP antibodies. Since NP on the CGG molecule ionized with an apparent pK of about 7.4, more than half the NP should be in the unionized (phenolic) form under the immunization conditions. However, early anti-NP antibodies bound preferentially to the ionized (phenolate) form of NP, which was a minor form at neutral pH, whereas later anti-NP antibodies showed ability to bind to both the phenolate and phenolic forms of NP. This change in specificity with time was observed on immunization with T cell-dependent (TD) antigens such as NP-CGG and NP keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), but not with a T cell-independent (TI) antigen such as NP-Ficoll. The heavy (H) chains from the two monoclonal antibodies 3G6 and 3C6, which bound to the phenolate form and both the phenolate and phenolic forms, respectively, were recombined with lambda 1 chains (L3G6 and L3C6) from these antibodies as well as a lambda 1 chain (LHOPC-1) with the amino acid sequence of the germline. Ability to bind to the phenolate form of NP was recovered in all the reconstituted IgGs, while ability to bind to both the phenolate and phenolic form of NP was observed only with IgG reconstituted from H3C6 and L3C6. These results suggest that the specificity corresponding to early anti-NP antibodies were generated even by lambda 1 chains of a germline sequence, but that of late anti-NP antibodies was expressed only by an appropriate pair of H and L chains. The contribution of amino acid substitution by somatic point mutation to the change of specificity with time was discussed.     

The effect of carrier and carrier priming on the kinetics and pattern of somatic mutation in the VϰOx1 gene

Priming mice with a chicken gamma globulin (CGG) carrier protein significantly accelerated the onset of somatic mutation in the V?Ox1 gene when the mice were subsequently immunized with 2-phenyl-5-oxazolone (phOx) coupled to CGG. The first mutations were already detected 7 days after immunization, while in the true primary response, they are not apparent until day 10. It was also found that comparing the mutation pattern of V?Ox1 genes from hybridomas derived after immunization with phOx coupled to different carriers revealed quite distinct patterns of somatic mutation. Analysis of hybridoma sequences from the primary immune response to phOx-ovalbumin showed that the codons for Ser²⁹, Ser³¹ and Lys⁴⁵ were hot-spots for somatic mutation. Thus, the frequency and pattern of somatic mutations in the V?Ox1 gene depends on the available T cell help as well as on the complex structure of the immunizing antigen.     

Regulation of VH gene repertoire and somatic mutation in germinal centre B cells by passively administered antibody

Immunization with T-dependent antigens induces a rapid differentiation of B cells to plasmacytes that produce the primary immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies with low affinities for the immunogen. It is proposed that the IgG antibody forms immune complexes with the residual antigen which provide an important stimulus for the formation of germinal centres (GC) and the activation of somatic mutation. This hypothesis was tested by passive administration of hapten-specific antibody into mice shortly after the immunization with nitrophenyl (NP) coupled to chicken gamma globulin (NP-CGG) in an environment of limited T-cell help. Athymic mice that received normal T helper cells at 72 hr after the administration of antigen produced low levels of anti-NP antibody and the splenic GC formation was delayed until day 12 after the antigen administration. The analysis of VDJ segments from NP-reactive GC B cells showed very few mutations in the VH genes. Passive injection of anti-NP IgG1 monoclonal antibody - but, not IgM - stimulated the GC formation up to normal levels and the somatic mutation activity in the GC B cells was fully restored. In addition, GC B cells in the recipients of IgG1 antibody demonstrated a change in the usage of germline-encoded VH genes which was not apparent among the primary antibody-forming cells. These results suggest the existence of a specific feedback mechanism whereby the IgG antibody regulates the GC formation, clonotypic repertoire and somatic mutation in GC B cells.     

Kinetics of Somatic Mutation in Lymph Node Germinal Centres

Somatic mutation activity in immunoglobulin V k genes during the response to the hapten 2-phenyl-5-oxazolone was measured in lymph node B-cell populations at various timepoints after footpad immunization. When the V k Oxl genes rearranged to the J k 5 segment were amplified from genomic DNA using the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced, somatic mutations could be detected as early as day 4 after immunization. Somatic mutations were also detected after sequencing RNA from oxazolone-specific hybridomas derived from lymph node cells at day 4 after immunization. These early mutations were found mostly in cells with a germinal centre phenotype. No indication of selection at the population level by apoptosis was detected until day 7 after immunization. These results suggest somatic mutations can be induced very early during the immune response in lymph node cells, prior to the peak of clonal expansion and selection with regard to antigen binding.     

Altered affinity maturation in primary response to (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl) acetyl (NP) after autologous reconstitution of irradiated C57BL/6 mice

Immune responses developing in irradiated environment are profoundly altered. The memory anti-arsonate response of A/J mice is dominated by a major clonotype encoded by a single gene segment combination called CRIA. In irradiated and autoreconstituted A/J mice, the level of anti-ARS antibodies upon secondary immunization is normal but devoid of CRIA antibodies. The affinity maturation process and the somatic mutation frequency are reduced. Isotype switching and development of germinal centers (GC) are delayed. The primary antibody response of C57BL/6 mice to the hapten (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl) acetyl (NP)-Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) is dominated by antibodies encoded by a family of closely related VH genes associated with the expression of the lambda1 light chain.We investigated the anti-NP primary response in irradiated and autoreconstituted C57BL/6 mice. We observed some splenic alterations as previously described in the irradiated A/J model. Germinal center reaction is delayed although the extrafollicular foci appearance is unchanged. Irradiated C57BL/6 mice are able to mount a primary anti-NP response dominated by lambda1 positive antibodies but fail to produce high affinity NP-binding IgG1 antibodies. Following a second antigenic challenge, irradiated mice develop enlarged GC and foci. Furthermore, higher affinity NP-binding IgG1 antibodies are detected.     

Polymerase mu is up-regulated during the T cell-dependent immune response and its deficiency alters developmental dynamics of spleen centroblasts

Mammalian DNA polymerase mu (Polmu), preferentially expressed in secondary lymphoid organs, is shown here to be up-regulated in germinal centers after immunization. Alternative splicing appears to be part of Polmu regulation during an immune response. We generated Polmu-deficient mice that are viable and show no anatomical malformation or serious alteration in lymphoid populations, with the exception of an underrepresentation of the B cell compartment. Young and aged homozygous Polmu(-/-) mice generated similar immune responses after immunization with the hapten (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP) coupled to chicken gammaglobulin (CGG), compared with their wild-type littermates. Nonetheless, the kinetics of development of the centroblast population showed significant differences. Hypermutation analysis of the rearranged heavy chain intron region in centroblasts isolated from NP-CGG-immunized Polmu(-/-) mice showed a similar quantitative and qualitative somatic mutation spectrum, but a lower representation of heavily mutated clones. These results suggest that although it is not a critical partner, Polmu modulates the in vivo somatic hypermutation process.     

Immunization with immune complex alters the repertoire of antigen-reactive B cells in the germinal centers

The differentiation of memory B cells in germinal centers (GC) is selectively enhanced upon administration of antigen-antibody complexes. To characterize the repertoire of this response, we examined the rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (V_H) genes from mouse splenic GC after a single immunization with either antigen, nitrophenyl (NP) hapten coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin, or with a preformed complex of antigen with a monoclonal anti-NP antibody of γ1 isotype. Among antigen-immunized mice, NP-reactive GC B cell populations in the antigen-induced GC consisted mostly of cells expressing the canonical V186.2 gene which contained, on average, 0.8 point mutations/V_H gene by day 8 after immunization. These results are indicative of the beginning of somatic hypermutation and consistent with previously published analyses of NP antigen-driven GC. In contrast, the NP-specific B cells in GC that were elicited by administration of immune complex represented a heterogeneous cell population expressing nine different germ-line segments of the V186.2/V3 (J558) gene family, i.e. V23, V24.8, C1H4, V3, CH10, V165.1, V102, V671.5 and V186.2. Moreover, the average frequency of mutations in these genes was 1.7, reaching up to 4 mutations/V_H in some GC. Administration of the antigen NP in complex with specific antibody apparently alters the process of interclonal competition in the GC and results in loss of dominance by V186.2⁺ cells and nearly stochastic representation of diverse clono-types. These results suggest an important feedback regulation of the B cell repertoire by antibody and indicate a role for immune complexes in the activation of somatic hypermutation.     

Low antigen dose favours selection of somatic mutants with hallmarks of antibody affinity maturation.

The immunization schedule is critical for the derivation of high-affinity antibodies, low antigen dose being particularly favourable for the development of a more efficient memory response. To analyse the molecular events underpinning this preference, we analysed the early maturation of the response to the hapten 2-phenyloxazolone (phOx) using low and high doses of immunogen. The phOx response is initially dominated by antibodies expressing the VkOx1-Jk5 light chain and the hallmark of the early stages of maturation is the substitution of His 34 by Asn or Gln increasing affinity 10- or eightfold, respectively, and of Tyr 36 by Phe. High-affinity antibodies express mutations at both sites. We cloned and sequenced VkOx1-Jk5 light chains from antigen-specific B cells taken 14 and 21 days after immunization with high and low antigen doses. We found that overall, the derived sequences were more mutated both at longer times and at higher dose. At day 14, His 34 was more frequently mutated at the higher than at the lower dose, while at day 21 the reverse was true. On the other hand, the His 34/Tyr 36 mutation pair was more frequent at low than high doses at both 14 and 21 days. Furthermore, at both times, the low immunization protocol yielded double mutants in cells with a lower mutation background. It appears therefore that while the higher dose may favour the acquisition of individual critical mutations, low-dose immunization favours the selection of a more focused mutational pattern, whereby advantageous mutations are associated with a low mutational background.     

Somatic hypermutation in mouse λ chains

Summary: The frequency and distribution of somatic hypermutation in immunoglobulin genes and the effect of amino acid substitution on the structure/function of antibodies were studied using hybridomas that secrete anti-(4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP) monoclonal antibodies bearing Xl chains. A high frequency of mutation was observed in V-J exons and J-C introns of rearranged and active λ1 chains but not in the 5'-non-coding regions of these chains. Since a similar distribution was observed in inactive λ2 chain genes, 5'-non-coding regions containing a promoter were considered to be protected from mutation in view of their apparent importance. Using transgenic mice carrying chloramphenicol acetyl transferase transgenes driven by the VH promoter and heavy-chain intron enhancer, it was also revealed that these cis-acting elements are important in the induction of somatic hypermutation and are capable of inducing mutation even in non-immunoglobulin genes.     

Somatic mutations are frequent and increase with age in human kidney epithelial cells

We have used a primary cloning assay to determine the frequency of 6- thioguanine (TG)-resistant tubular epithelial cells in kidney tissue from 72 human donors ranging in age from 2 to 94 years. The frequency of TG-resistant mutants ranged from approximately 5 x 10(-5) for donors in the first decade of life to approximately 2.5 x 10(-4) for donors in the eighth and later decades of life. Two different statistical analyses indicated that this increase in mutant frequency is exponential with age. We also observed a 2-fold higher TG-resistant mutant frequency in nephrectomy kidneys containing a coincident renal carcinoma. DNA sequence analyses revealed HPRT gene mutations in each of 14 TG-resistant mutants from seven unrelated donors. Thirteen of these 14 mutants resulted from independent mutational events. These results suggest that somatic mutations are common in renal--and perhaps in other human--epithelia, and thus could play an important role in the genesis of age-associated disease.      

Intrachromosomal gene mapping in man: Assignment of nucleoside phosphorylase to region 14cen→14q21 by interspecific hybridization of cells with a t(X;14) (p22;q21) translocation

The structural gene for purine-nucleoside phosphorylase (NP) has been assigned to a subregion of chromosome 14 by somatic cell hybridization of male and female cells containing the balanced translocation t(X;14) (p22;q21). Peripheral lymphocytes were fused to a pseudodiploid HPRT-deficient established Chinese hamster cell line. 23 primary hybrid clones (10 derived from male and 13 from female cells) were isolated and maintained in HAT selective medium. Parallel subcultures from generations 16, 24, and 40 after clonal isolation were fully karyotyped and analyzed electrophoretically for expression of the human types of NP, HPRT, G6PD, and PGK. The human NP phenotype segregated discordantly with each human chromosome except chromosome 14 and the der(14),t(X;14) translocation chromosome. In all, 8 hybrids which had retained the der(X), t(X;14) translocation chromosome under HAT selective pressure and expressed human HPRT had lost the human NP phenotype. These results indicate localization of the NP gene in region 14pter14q21.     

Functional and molecular characterization of single, (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP)-specific, IgG1+ B cells from antibody-secreting and memory B cell pathways in the C57BL/6 immune response to NP.

We have used multiparameter flow cytometry to identify a population of IgG1+ IgM- antigen-specific B cells which emerges in spleens of C57BL/6 mice following immunization with the hapten, (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP). Characterization of the specificities of IgG1 antibodies produced by single, sorted IgG1+ NP+ cells in both Elispot assays and in microcultures containing lipopolysaccharide, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-5 indicates that the splenic IgG1+ NP+ B cell population includes both IgG1 anti-NP antibody-secreting cells and non-secreting, IgG1+ memory B cells. Each functionally discrete population of IgG1+ B cells expresses a distinctive surface phenotype defined by a wide range of B cell markers. In particular, antibody-secreting, IgG1+ cells were uniquely identified by co-expression of the matrix receptor, syndecan. The NP-specific B cell population emerging in the day 7 primary response was assessed for clonotypic diversity by amplification and direct sequencing of the rearranged V186.2 heavy chain variable region gene expressed by single, ex vivo IgG1+ NP+ lambda+ B cells. Memory B cell clones, distinguished by junctional diversity, carried either no mutation or a single mutation within rearranged V186.2, suggesting isolation of these cells at the onset of the hypermutation mechanism. This novel approach, therefore, allows the direct and unambiguous identification and characterization of individual B cell clonotypes during their initial selection and activation in antibody responses in vivo.     

Effects of glucose on cloning efficiency and mutagenesis of fetal rat cells

In a previous study, treatment of rats with 10% glucose in the drinking water, as fetuses during gestation and for 1.5 months after delivery, significantly enhanced tumor incidence that resulted from N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU, 20 mg/kg) given transplacentally on gestation day 21, with a 1.6-fold increase in overall tumor incidence. We investigated whether glucose would have an effect on MNU-induced mutation in fetal F-344 rat somatic cells as measured in an in vivo/in vitro assay. Rat fetuses were exposed transplacentally to MNU on gestation day 16 and to a 10% glucose solution from gestation day 7 to day 17. Cells were isolated on gestation day 17 for determination of cloning efficiency and for selection of 6-thioguanine (6-TG)-resistant HGPRT mutants. Cloning efficiency of the fetal cells exposed to MNU alone was 22.6+/-2.3% S.E., while that for cells from fetuses exposed to MNU+glucose was 27.5+/-1.6% S.E., which was a significant difference (P=0.018). This indicates an effect of glucose on cell proliferation and survival. MNU treatment significantly increased the mutation frequency of fetal cells from a spontaneous value of 0.4 x 10(-6) per viable cell to (8.8+/-1.8 S.E.,) x 10(-6) (P=0.0087). The coexposure to MNU and glucose yielded a mutant frequency per plate of 0.62+/-0.05 S.E., which was a 1.5-fold increase compared to MNU alone (0.43+/-0.11 S.E., P=0.075. In summary, the data indicate that glucose during pregnancy increases proliferation/survival of fetal cells and possibly also mutation rate.     

Activation of memory and virgin B cell clones in hyperimmune animals

To study the long-term memory response, BALB/c mice were allowed to rest for over a year after a secondary immunization with the hapten 2-phenyl-oxazol-5-one (phOx). For the tertiary immunization two different protocols were used. In one protocol mice were injected i.v. and 3 days later spleen cells were fused to a nonproducing hybridoma line. PhOx-specific hybridomas were established and the sequence of the heavy and light chain mRNA was determined. This tertiary response resembled the diversity pattern of the secondary response with a further increase both in somatic mutations and in the average dissociation constant. The high number of somatic mutations demonstrates the persistence of memory B cell clones over a long time period. In the second protocol mice were boosted with an i.p. injection of alumprecipitated antigen phOx and 7 or 14 days later spleen cells were fused. Sequence analysis of heavy and light chain mRNA showed that these tertiary response antibody molecules had surprisingly few somatic mutations, indicating an activation of virgin B cell clones in these hyperimmunized animals. The maturation of these newly stimulated B cell clones seems to follow somewhat similar rules to those found for the primary response. It appears therefore that the two immunization protocols reflect the response of memory and virgin B cells, respectively.     

Cell selection strategies for making antibodies from variable gene libraries: trapping the memory pool.

The B cells of immunized animals can be used as a source of variable region (V) gene libraries. Such libraries offer a way of making antibodies directly in bacteria: rearranged V genes are amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, cloned and expressed as soluble fragments in bacteria, and then screened for antigen binding. Here we have used a model system to investigate antigen-selected B cells as a source of V gene libraries. Mice were immunized with (4-hydroxyl-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP)-chicken gammaglobulin, and the splenocytes harvested seven days after primary immunization. We prepared a heavy chain variable (VH) gene library from the DNA of cells selected on antigen-coated magnetic beads, and two other libraries from the DNA or mRNA of unselected cells. The VH gene libraries were combined with the V lambda 1 gene (as this light chain dominates the primary response to NP), expressed as Fv fragments in Escherichia coli and screened for binding to (4-hydroxy-3-iodo-5-nitrophenyl)acetyl-bovine serum albumin. The frequency of antigen-binding clones was much greater (greater than 50 fold) in the library from the DNA of antigen-selected cells (17/282) or from the mRNA of unselected cells (29/282) compared to the DNA from unselected cells (0/940). Sequencing of the antigen-binding clones revealed that they almost invariably used the V-186.2 heavy chain, as expected from analysis of primary response hybridomas. The D segments from the mRNA library were entirely DFL16.1 (29/29), as in primary response hybridomas, whereas those from the DNA of selected cells were more diverse, using in addition to DFL16.1, other D segments (5/17) as in later response hybridomas. This suggests that the DNA library from selected cells is derived at least in part from cells destined for the memory compartment. Given the long life of memory cells, they may prove a useful source of antibody libraries in the absence of recent immunization.     

The T-cell independent antigen, NP-ficoll, primes for a high affinity IgM anti-NP response

In a number of different strains of inbred mice, immunization with a hapten coupled to a protein carrier results in production of homogeneous serum antibodies. At the genetic level this corresponds to the use of a very limited set of variable region genes in the actively secreting B-cells. In contrast, immunization with the same hapten coupled to a T-cell independent (TI) carrier produces a heterogeneous antibody response. Here we show that successive immunizations of C57BL/6 mice, first with the hapten NP coupled to ficoll, a TI carrier, and then one month later with a subliminal dose of the same hapten coupled to a protein carrier, generate a novel set of hybridomas. These hybridomas produce antibodies which are of the IgM isotope and which lack somatic mutation. Some of these antibodies have a much higher affinity for NP than do antibodies which use the prototypical gene combination (V_H186.2-λ1) of the strain specific response in C57BL/6 mice.     

Specific antibody production by V(H)-gene replacement

V(H)-gene replacement is a recombination event in which a pre-existing immunoglobulin heavy chain gene can be altered by the replacement of the rearranged V(H) gene segment with another V(H) gene segment. Although this event has been demonstrated in various model systems, its role in generating antibody diversity is still unsettled. We have used a genetically modified mouse strain, QM, with a quasi monoclonal primary B cell repertoire specific for NP to determine whether V(H) gene replacement can generate a new antigen specificity. Hybridomas generated from QM splenocytes after immunization with different antigens, gave rise to antibodies with specificity to the immunizing antigen or with new specificities. We found V(H)-gene replacement was used to change the original heavy chain gene rearrangement specific for NP into a heavy chain gene encoding the new antigen specificity. V(H)-gene replacement intermediates were detected both before and after the immunization, suggesting that the event was selective rather than instructive. These results demonstrate that V(H)-gene replacement can generate a new antibody heavy chain gene with a different functional and selectable antigen specificity.     

双价痢疾菌苗滴鼻免疫小鼠后不同部位淋巴细胞表型的变化

目的:观测双价痢疾工程菌苗滴鼻免疫小鼠后,不同时间、不同部位淋巴组织细胞表型的变化,探讨痢疾菌苗滴鼻免疫对黏膜和系统免疫应答的影响。方法:BALB/c小鼠随机分为3组,每组30只,分别以FSM-2117和FS-5416痢疾菌苗经滴鼻途径免疫小鼠4次,菌量依次为5×106、1×107、4×107和4×107CFU/只,对照组给予PBS,间隔2 wk。4次免疫后7、30和90 d活杀,分离NALT、鼻通道、脾、小肠PP结淋巴细胞,采用流式细胞术检测其淋巴细胞表型的变化。结果:4次免疫后7 d,小鼠鼻相关淋巴组织(NALT)、鼻通道(NP)和Peyer’s结(PP)淋巴细胞中,CD3 T细胞数均显著增加,其中以CD4 T细胞增加为主。FSM-2117免疫组的脾细胞中B220 细胞显著增加;而FS 5416免疫组的脾细胞中CD3 T细胞显著增加。4次免疫后30 d,NALT、NP和脾淋巴细胞仍出现上述变化;而90 d,仅NALT和NP淋巴细胞出现上述同样变化。结论:两株双价痢疾菌苗滴鼻免疫小鼠后,能有效地诱导黏膜和系统免疫应答,且持续时间较长,但该免疫应答的减弱是从距免疫部位较远的部位而开始的。     

Antibody feedback and somatic mutation in B cells: regulation of mutation by immune complexes with IgG antibody

Summary: In response to an appropriate antigenic stimulus, and with help from T lymphocytes, naive B cells differentiate into plasmacytes which produce the primary (germline-encoded) IgM and IgG antibody with low affinity for the antigen. The isotype switch from IgM to IgG coincides with the burst of germinal center reaction and the onset of "somatic hypermutation. Here we propose that formation of immune complexes between the residual antigen and the primary IgG antibody, which activate complement and localize specifically in the network of follicular dendritic cells, provides an important signal for triggering the mutation mechanism in germinal center B cells. This hypothesis has been supported by studies on immunogenicity of immune complexes in vivo. The experiments have included an immunization with pre-formed antigen/IgG antibody complex and/or an administration of IgG and body shortly after the antigen injection. Either of these strategies, which are known to augment the germinal center formation, resulted in earlier onset of somatic mutation and increased mutation frequency in VDJ rearrangements in antigen-reactive B cells, provided that help from T cells was also present. It is presumed that the antigen/antibody/complement complex is able to deliver this important signal by cross-linking of antigen receptor with the CD21/CD19/CD81 molecules on B cells. As a corollary, the signaling by immune complexes may lower the threshold of cell activation determined by receptor affinity for antigen and stimulate diverse V-gene repertoire of B-cell clones in germinal centers.     

Antigen persistence is required for somatic mutation and affinity maturation of immunoglobulin

Whether germinal centers (GC) with follicular dendritic cell (FDC) clusters are the essential sites for affinity maturation of immunoglobulin is still controversial. To re-evaluate the role of GC / FDC in affinity maturation and somatic mutation in a defined antigen system, lymphotoxin-alpha(- / -) and TNF receptor I(- / -) mice, lacking GC / FDC, were immunized with (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl) acetyl-sheep RBC (NP-SRBC). In contrast to soluble hapten-carrier systems, NP-SRBC allows us to compare affinity maturation in the presence or absence of adjuvant. These mice showed a dramatically impaired ability to generate high-affinity IgG to NP, but retained the ability to produce low-affinity anti-NP IgG when NP-SRBC was used in the absence of adjuvant. In contrast to wild-type mice, somatic mutation of the expressed IgG heavy chain gene was rarely detected in these GC / FDC-deficient mice. This suggests that GC / FDC are essential for affinity maturation. Trapping antigen-specific B cells inside the T cell zone of TNFRI(- / -) mice may prolong the interaction between T and B cells, which allows class switching but no further affinity maturation of IgG. Interestingly, GC / FDC-deficient mice could be induced to generate high-affinity, somatically mutated IgG antibodies by immunization with the same amount of NP-SRBC antigen emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant or repeated immunization with the antigen alone. Thus, these data support a model in which prolonged availability of antigen is required for somatic mutation and affinity maturation, and FDC or adjuvants facilitate such processes by slowly releasing antigens.