Polyclonal activation of the murine immune system by an antibody to IgD. III. Ontogeny

It has recently been demonstrated that the injection of adult mice with an affinity-purified goat antibody to mouse IgD (GaM delta) stimulates activation of the humoral immune system that resembles, on a polyclonal level, specific B cell activation by a T cell-dependent antigen. One to 2 days after adult BALB/c mice are injected with 200 micrograms of GaM delta, their splenic B lymphocytes undergo a series of T-independent activation steps that include increases in surface (s) Ia expression, cell size and DNA synthesis. Seven days after GaM delta injection, these cells undergo T-dependent activation steps, that include further proliferation as well as differentiation into IgG1-secreting cells. We have now studied the ontogeny of the T-independent (day 2) and T-dependent (day 7) activation steps by injecting 100-200 micrograms of GaM delta into 3-day- to 10-week-old BALB/c mice. GaM delta failed to induce increases in B cell sIa expression or size 2 days after injection of mice 2 weeks old or younger and failed to stimulate increased DNA synthesis 2 days after injection of 4-week-old mice. In contrast, increases in spleen cell sIa expression, size and DNA synthesis were seen 7 days after injection of 6- to 8-day-old mice. Furthermore, increases in the numbers of spleen cells with large amounts of intracytoplasmic IgG1 were seen at the same time, although these increases were much less than were seen in GaM delta-treated adult mice. Thus, the ability of GaM delta to induce T help and to act in concert with such help to stimulate B cell proliferation and differentiation precedes in ontogeny the ability of GaM delta to directly induce B cell proliferation and early differentiative events. In addition, the early activating events that we have studied are not required for T-dependent B cell proliferation and antibody production to occur, although they appear to contribute to the magnitude of clonal expansion and antibody production.     

ROLE OF GERMINAL CENTER IN IMMUNE RESPONSE ENZYME IMMUNO-HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY USING HORSERADISH PEROXIDASE

Using enzyme Immuno-hlstochemlcal method with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), a study on the relation between localization of antigen and antibody, and development of germinal center in lymph node after primary and secondary stimulation was made.
Blastic antibody forming cells and intercellular localization of the antibody were noticed in newly formed germinal centers of draining lymph nodes within 7 days after primary antigenic stimulation. With increase of circulating antibodies produced by the draining lymph nodes, it accumulated in ready made germinal centers of generalized non-draining lymph nodes. At the time of primary stimulation, the HRP antigen was never observed in solid follicles or newly formed germinal centers, and even in ready made germinal centers it became localized only transiently and was never retained. After secondary stimulation, the antigen accumulated quickly in the light zone of germinal centers, being trapped by the previously present antibody. Three days later, antibody forming cells began to be noticed in germinal centers as well as in medullae of non-draining lymph nodes where no antibody forming cells had been so far observed, and in medullae of draining lymph nodes they increased markedly. Passively injected anti-HRP antibody accumulated also in germinal centers of non-primed mice and successively injected antigen was easily trapped in these germinal centers. Passively injected soluble antigen-antibody-complexes were localized in germinal centers of non-primed mice. In both these cases, antibody forming cells appeared only in germinal centers and none in medullae. Blastic cells, proliferating in germinal center and producing 2-ME sensitive antibody were not considered to be directly related with antibody forming cells in the medulla of lymph node.     

Immigration of thoracic duct B lymphocytes into established germinal centers in the rat

Immigration of B lymphocytes into established germinal centers in the rat was studied by transferring genetically marked thoracic duct B cells to non-irradiated congenic hosts at various times between 3 days before and 6 days after host immunization. Seven days after host immunization, the distribution of donor B cells to lymph node germinal centers (relative to their distribution to non-germinal center lymph node areas) was measured by two-color flow cytometry in which (a) donor and host B cells were distinguished by their Ig kappa chain allotypes, and (b) germinal center B cells were distinguished by their lack of labeling with the monoclonal antibody HIS22. Thoracic duct B cells from long-term antigen-primed rats were found to immigrate into host germinal centers much better than B cells from unprimed donors. This effect was antigen specific: primed B cells only immigrated well into host germinal centers induced by the priming antigen. Although B cells localized in germinal centers most efficiently when injected before immunization, specifically primed donor B cells injected after immunization were still found to be at least as evenly distributed to germinal centers as to other lymph node areas, whereas unprimed B cells transferred after immunization localized poorly in host germinal centers. These findings are discussed in light of recent suggestions that memory B cell clones are maintained by continued antigenic stimulation within secondary lymphoid follicles.     

Polyclonal activation of the murine immune system by an antibody to IgD. VI. Influence of doses of goat anti-mouse delta chain and normal goat IgG on B lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation

The injection of mice with 800 micrograms of an affinity-purified goat antibody to mouse IgD (GaM delta) induces early, T-independent polyclonal increases in the expression of B cell surface Ia, and B cell size and DNA synthesis, as well as later, T-dependent polyclonal increases in spleen cell number and Ig secretion. We have now studied the effects of varying the doses of injected GaM delta on all phases of B cell activation, as well as the effects of supplementing GaM delta with varying quantities of normal goat IgG (GIgG). We have found that while 12.5 micrograms of GaM delta modulates most of the IgD from the surface of splenic B lymphocytes, it fails to activate these cells. Increases in the expression of B cell surface Ia are first seen when 50 micrograms of GaM delta is injected, while increases in B cell DNA synthesis usually require the injection of 200 micrograms of GaM delta and peak with doses of approximately 800 micrograms. Increases in splenic B cell number and DNA synthesis during the T-dependent phase of GaM delta-induced B cell activation are seen only in those mice that were injected with sufficient quantities of GaM delta to induce DNA synthesis during the T-independent phase. Supplementing the dose of GaM delta injected with additional GIgG has no significant effect on B cell DNA synthesis or B cell number but dramatically increases polyclonal IgG1 secretion. Although mice which have been injected with 50 micrograms of GaM delta or with 800 micrograms of GIgG alone have few polyclonal IgG1-secreting cells, substantial increases in the number of IgG1-secreting cells are seen in mice injected with 50 micrograms of GaM delta plus 750 micrograms of GIgG. GIgG and larger doses of GaM delta similarly act synergistically to increase polyclonal IgG1 secretion. In contrast to the induction of polyclonal IgG1 secretion, the stimulation of polyclonal IgM secretion requires the injection of mitogenic doses of GaM delta and is not enhanced by the injection of additional GIgG. These observations suggest that, in this model system, stimulatory signals that activate B cells through their surface Ig are limiting for the induction of polyclonal proliferation and IgM secretion, while the generation of T helper lymphokines that do not directly interact with B cells through their surface Ig may be more limiting for the stimulation of polyclonal IgG1 secretion.     

Development of T-B cell collaboration in neonatal mice

The neonatal immune response is impaired during the first weeks after birth. To obtain a better understanding of this immaturity, we investigated the development of T cell interactions with B cells in mice. For this purpose, we analyzed the immune response to three T-dependent antigens in vivo: (i) the polyclonal antibody response induced by vaccinia virus; (ii) the production of polyclonal and specific antibodies following immunization with hapten-carrier conjugates; (iii) the mouse mammary tumor virus superantigen (sAg) response involving an increase in sAg-reactive T cells and induction of polyclonal antibody production. After vaccinia virus injection into neonates, the polyclonal antibody response was similar to that observed in adult mice. The antibody response to hapten-carrier conjugates, however, was delayed and reduced. Injection with sAg-expressing B cells from neonatal or adult mice allowed us to determine whether B cells, T cells or both were implicated in the reduced immune response. In these sAg responses, neonatal T cells were stimulated by both neonatal and adult sAg-presenting B cells but only B cells from adult mice differentiated into IgM- and IgG-secreting plasma cells in the neonatal environment in vivo. Injecting neonatal B cells into adult mice did not induce antibody production. These results demonstrate that the environment of the neonatal lymph node is able to support a T and B cell response, and that immaturity of B cells plays a key role in the reduced immune response observed in the neonate.     

Competition of the actions of antigen and polyclonal B-cell activator in the induction and amplification of B-memory cell function.

Using the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPS-K) as a polyclonal B-cell activator (PBA) and sheep red blood cells (SRBC) as a T-dependent antigen, the correlation of the actions of PBA and T-dependent antigen on B cells in induction and amplification of immunological memory was studied. B-memory cell function, as judged by anti-SRBC responsiveness in vitro of spleen cells of CPS-K, was amplified by the secondary injection of SRBC into SRBC-primed mice, whereas it was decreased markedly by injection of CPS-K. When CPS-K was injected simultaneously with, or 1 or 2 days before the secondary injection of SRBC, B-memory cell function was also decreased markedly. On the other hand, CPS-K did not inhibit induction of B-memory cell function when injected simultaneouly with the primary injection of SRBC. However, CPS-K inhibited induction of B-memory cell function when injected 3 days before the primary injection of SRBC. The inhibition by CPS-K of amplification of B-memory cell function in response to SRBC when CPS-K was injected simultaneously with the secondary injection of SRBC occurred markedly in mice primed with SRBC 8 days or longer before the secondary injection, whereas it was not detectable in mice primed 3 days before. It is concluded that the CPS-K-mediated signal and the SRBC-mediated signal act competitively on the same subpopulations of B cells in induction and amplification of memory, and that the susceptibility of B cells to the CPS-K-mediated negative signal changes correspondingly with their maturation stage.     

The physiologic role of CD19 cytoplasmic tyrosines

The physiologic role of eight CD19 tyrosines was examined in CD19-knockout mice expressing transgenic CD19 constructs. CD19 Y482 and Y513 were essential for normal B cell biology, including differentiation of B1 and marginal zone B cells and for T-dependent and -independent antibody responses. In immunized mice with mutations in CD19 Y482 and Y513, early germinal center B cells appeared normal in phenotype and number, but maturation in the germinal center was defective. This was associated with retarded progression through the cell cycle. Thus, Y482 and Y513 are essential for all functions of CD19 in vivo. Mutation of these reduces proliferation in germinal center B cells, providing a potential mechanism for the failure of maturation, which abrogates antibody responses.     

The Emu-bcl-2 transgene enhances antigen-induced germinal center formation in both BALB/c and SJL mice but causes age-dependent germinal center hyperplasia only in the lymphoma-prone SJL strain.

Emu-bcl-2 transgenic and littermate control BALB/c and SJL mice were immunized in the front footpads with trinitrophenylated Brucella abortus and the germinal center (GC) response in draining brachial lymph nodes was studied by staining with peanut agglutinin peroxidase and methyl green. Although the GCs induced were not larger in transgenic than in control young mice, there was a significant increase in the percentage of B cell follicles exhibiting GCs 7 to 8 days after primary and secondary antigen injections in the transgenic mice of both strains. In addition, glucocorticosteroid injected on day 7 after the primary injection caused a marked decrease in GCs in littermate controls but had no effect in the bcl-2 transgenic SJL mice. Antibody production to B. abortus was only slightly higher in transgenic than in control mice, but anti-TNP immunoglobulin M and G titers were significantly enhanced in the transgenic mice. The bcl-2 transgenic SJL mice, older than 6 months, showed the spontaneous appearance of large numbers of peanut agglutinin-binding GCs that greatly varied in size and were located without regard for the normal lymph node structure or follicle localization. This GC hyperplasia was seen in a large percent of the older transgenic SJL mice and never in similarly aged normal SJL or BALB/c mice with and without the bcl-2 transgene. Frank lymphomatous transformation of peanut agglutinin-binding germinal center-like areas was seen in lymph nodes and Peyer's patches of some of the older bcl-2 transgenic SJL mice. These results suggest that the tendency of SJL mice to develop GC-derived lymphomas synergizes with the presence of the bcl-2 transgene to cause the development of GC hyperplasia.     

Mechanism of depletion of T lymphocytes from the spleen of mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes.

Marked changes in the splenic lymphocyte populations during murine infection with Listeria monocytogenes were observed histologically and quantitated by the immunofluorescence of Thy-1+ immunoglobulin (Ig-) (T) and Ig+ (B) cells. Cells were depleted from the T-dependent areas of the spleen, and the number of T cells in suspensions prepared from spleens of mice 1 to 3 days after primary or secondary infection were less than 1/10 of normal. High numbers of alcohol-killed Listeria sp. did not cause any depletion. Depletion was not prevented by adrenalectomy. Although injected radiolabeled T cells distributed normally between spleen, liver, lymph node, and gut in infected mice, there appeared to be a barrier to their entry into depleted T-dependent areas of the spleen. Evidence for the destruction of T cells, but not of B cells, in the infected mouse spleen was obtained.     

Popliteal lymph node reactions in mice induced by the drug zimeldine

The antidepressant drug zimeldine was screened for immune modulating properties using the popliteal lymph node (PLN) assay as a test system in mice. In immunocompetent as well as congenitally athymic nude mice, footpad injection of 1.0 mg zimeldine triggered a bimodal footswelling. A transient oedematous swelling, histologically characterized by mast cell degranulation, was followed by infiltration of polymorphnuclear cells. A dose-dependent PLN enlargement to the agent was observed, which appeared to be more pronounced in immunocompetent mice as compared with athymic nude mice, and in H-2b mice as compared with H-2d mice. After injection of 1.0 mg zimeldine into the footpad of C57BL/10 mice, significant enlargement was already observed by 3 days after injection, was optimal around day 9 and persisted for at least 30 days. Histologically, PLN reactions were characterized by blast transformation of lymphocytes and expansion of paracortical areas prior to germinal center reactions in enlarged follicles. Size of both areas gradually decreased as the medulla filled with plasma cells, 7-30 days after injection. The observed reactions could not be transferred with syngeneic lymph node cells after prior exposition to zimeldine in vivo or in vitro. We conclude that zimeldine induces strong and persistent PLN enlargement, blastogenesis and prominent germinal center reactions. Immunocompetent T-cells are apparently conducive, but not prerequisite to these reactions, which suggests involvement of multiple mechanisms including those mediated by inflammatory reactions in the foot. It is unlikely that the observed enlargement of PLN can be attributed to a direct chemical modification of leukocyte membranes by zimeldine. The protracted nature of the reaction may indicate that zimeldine somehow interferes with inhibitory feedback mechanisms.     

Kinetics of germinal center development in lymph nodes of young and aging immune mice

Recent findings imply that germinal center paucity in old mice, at least in part, results from a defect in the mechanisms responsible for the transport of antigens to lymphoid nodules (follicles) and the consequent impairment of the antigen retaining reticulum (ARR) of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). The present objective was to observe the kinetics of lymph node germinal center development in old mice having antigen transport and ARR deficits. Germinal center development was monitored in popliteal (PLN) and axillary (AXLN) lymph nodes of 6-8 wk and 23-mo-old horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immune C57BL/6 mice. Using the selective binding of germinal center B cells for peanut agglutinin (PNA), germinal centers were identified in serial vibratome sections following histochemical labeling with PNA-peroxidase conjugates at times 0, 15 min, 1, 3, 5, and 10 days after footpad challenge with 8 micrograms HRP. To follow the fate of preexisting (environmental antigen-induced) germinal centers and the development of de novo (HRP-induced) germinal centers, it was essential to distinguish between these germinal centers. Accordingly, PNA positive germinal centers associated with HRP-retaining (peroxidase positive) ARR were identified as de novo germinal centers and germinal centers not associated with a peroxidase positive ARR were classified as preexisting germinal centers. Kinetic analysis of PNA positive germinal centers showed the following: 1) Preexisting, environmentally-induced germinal centers dissociated and disappeared by day 3 as indicated by a decline in their numbers after antigen injection: the process of germinal center dissociation remained unaffected by aging. 2) The latency of de novo germinal center appearance was approximately equal in duration (approximately 3 days) to the disappearance of pre-existing germinal centers. 3) The number and size of de novo HRP-induced germinal centers increased through the experimental period in young lymph nodes, but in old mice these parameters were depressed, resulting in a significant germinal center deficit. 4) The ratio of HRP-retaining ARR to de novo induced germinal centers was 1:1 in young and responder old mice. This ratio was not affected by aging. This finding favored the concept that antigen retention in ARR is a requirement of germinal center development. The observations supported our hypothesis that germinal center development, at least in part, depends on a normal antigen transport by showing that in aged mice with defective antigen transport-related ARR and iccosome deficits there is an impaired development of germinal centers.     

AN ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY ON ANTIBODY PRODUCTION OF THE LYMPH NODES OF RATS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ROLE OF GERMINAL CENTERS

Antibody-containing cells in lymph nodes, especially in germinal centers, and in thoracic duct of rats sensitized by Injection of horseradish peroxidase were studied with the immunoperoxidase method. In the primary response, the large germinal center cells began to produce antibody on the 9th day and predominated thereafter In germinal centers, added by intercellular antibody deposition in its late stage. The "ordinary" medium-sized germinal center cells were a minor component. In the secondary response, the intracellular antibody positivity disappeared immediately after the antigenic rechallenge but reappeared from 6 hours later In the large germinal center cells which further transformed from 48 to 72 hours into the "specifically differentiated" medium-sized germinal center cells that disappeared by 96 hours after the secondary injection to enter the thoracic duct. Antibody-containing cells outside the germinal centers appeared 5 to 6 days after the primary injection and were mainly comprised of plasmocytic cell series which was classified Into lnterfollicular large cells, proplasmocytes and plasmocytes. Some results conflicting with the cytologlcal identity of both cell series were presented.     

Antigen-induced changes in B cell subsets in lymph nodes: analysis by dual fluorescence flow cytofluorometry

Changes in the representation and surface phenotype of defined B cell subsets in murine lymph nodes stimulated with keyhole limpet hemocyanin or sheep red blood cells have been analyzed by two-color immunofluorescence fluorocytometric analysis. Shortly after immunization with either antigen there is a dramatic increase in both the frequency and absolute number of IgM+, IgD+ B cells, which is followed by the formation of germinal centers. Germinal center cells, as soon as they appear on day 3 after primary immunization, bind high levels of peanut agglutinin, bear low levels of surface IgM but no detectable surface IgD, and are characterized by lack of staining with MEL-14, a monoclonal antibody which recognizes a lymphocyte surface receptor involved in lymphocyte homing. The level of I-A and H-2K region-encoded surface antigens on early germinal center cells is higher than on PNAlo B cells. During the first 7 days of the germinal centers there is a progressive decrease in the average level of H-2K but not of Ia antigens. A similar decrease was observed for ThB. It is confirmed that the germinal center cell population contains the majority of antigen-binding cells in the stimulated lymph node. These findings indicate that B cells are recruited nonspecifically to antigen-stimulated lymph nodes, and that the antigen-specific cells then selectively participate in the formation of germinal centers where they undergo specific differentiation events.     

Kinetics of the tingible body macrophage response in mouse germinal center development and its depression with age

Although tingible body macrophages (TBM) have been recognized in germinal centers for over 100 years, their role in the germinal center response is not clear. In this study, the kinetics of the TBM response was quantitatively assessed and correlated with the kinetics of germinal center development in young mice. The TBM response in old mice (which have an age-related depression of germinal center development; Szakal et al., 1990) was analyzed for comparison. Young and old immune mice were challenged with human serum albumin and 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days later the popliteal and axillary lymph nodes were evaluated. Germinal centers were localized histochemically in alternate serial sections using horseradish peroxidase conjugated peanut agglutinin. TBM numbers were determined per germinal center on adjacent sections by the presence of tingible bodies or histochemically by using the monoclonal antibody Mac-2. Analysis of lymph nodes from young mice showed that TBM numbers decreased with the dissociation of preexisting germinal centers. TBM reappeared 5 days after challenge and the TBM kinetics paralleled the increase in size of de novo germinal centers. In fact, a constant ratio of one TBM to every 350-450 B cells was maintained from day 5 to day 10. In old lymph nodes, TBM were generally absent throughout germinal center development. The lack of TBM prior to germinal center development and their absence in aged mice are inconsistent with the concept that TBM are required for the induction of the germinal center reaction. However, the data are consistent with a role for TBM in regulating the magnitude of the germinal center reaction.     

Immunogenic cells in the regional lymph nodes after painting with the contact sensitizers picryl chloride and oxazolone: evidence for the presence of IgM antibody on their surface

The lymph node cells of mice painted with contact sensitizing agents immunize recipient mice when injected into their footpads. In practice 2 × 10⁶ nylon wool purified T cells are used from mice painted with picryl chloride or oxazolone (4-ethoxymethylene-2-phenyloxazolone). The ability of cells taken 4 days after painting to immunize other mice was abolished by treatment with rabbit complement but cells taken at 1 day were unaffected. This effect of rabbit complement was due to IgM anti-hapten antibody on the surface of antigen-presenting cells. The antibody could be eluted from the cells with appropriate picryl or oxazolone-ε-aminocaproic acid. It adhered to insolubilized anti-IgM and behaved like IgM on gel filtration. To confirm the role of this antibody, mice were rendered unresponsive with picrylated pneumococcal polysaccharide type III before being painted. This abolishes antibody production but leaves contact sensitivity intact. The lymph node cells of animals treated in this way were unaffected by rabbit complement and this suggested that antibody was required for this phenomenon. Moreover although lymph nodes normally lose the ability to immunize at day 6 after painting, the lymph node cells of unresponsive mice, which fail to make antibody immunize other mice up to day 8 after painting. This effect of unresponsiveness is reversed by the injection of serum taken 8 days after painting. It was concluded that IgM antibody which appears on the surface of lymph nodes 4 days after painting depresses their ability to immunize other mice.     

In vivo depletion of macrophages by desulfated iota-carrageenan in mice

Almost 90% of the sulfate groups of iota-carrageenan (CGN) was removed with acid-methanol in an attempt to obtain a product which would selectively eliminate macrophages in mice. Desulfated CGN(DS-CGN) failed to induce in vivo polyclonal antibody production in DBA/2 mice. However, the number of phagocytes in the peritoneal cavity, spleen, thymus and lymph node of DBA/2 mice was reduced stringently by DS-CGN treatment. The number of Mac-1 positive cells(macrophages) in DS-CGN-treated mice gradually decreased for at least 7 days after the last injection of DS-CGN. In contrast, the relative proportion of T and B lymphocytes in the lymphoid organs was unaffected by DS-CGN treatment. DS-CGN suppressed antibody responses to SRBC, a T cell and macrophage-dependent antigen, but no such suppressive effect was observed in the polyclonal antibody responses to LPS, a T cell and macrophage-independent B cell activator. Furthermore, the impaired SRBC antibody responses in DS-CGN-treated mice were restored following transfer of adherent cells but not T cells. These experimental results indicate that DS-CGN selectively eliminates macrophages without influencing lymphocyte function in vivo.     

Promotion of a functional B cell germinal center response after Leishmania species co-infection is associated with lesion resolution

Co-infection of C3HeB/FeJ (C3H) mice with both Leishmania major and Leishmania amazonensis leads to a healed footpad lesion, whereas co-infection of C57BL/6 (B6) mice leads to non-healing lesions. This inability to heal corresponds to a deficiency in B cell stimulation of the macrophage-mediated killing of L. amazonensis in vitro and a less robust antibody response. The mechanism that leads to healing of these lesions is not completely known, although our studies implicate the B cell response as having an important effector function in killing L. amazonensis. To understand more completely this disparate clinical outcome to the same infection, we analyzed the draining lymph node germinal center B cell response between co-infected C3H and B6 mice. There were more germinal center B cells, more antibody isotype-switched germinal center B cells, more memory B cells, and more antigen-specific antibody-producing cells in co-infected C3H mice compared to B6 mice as early as 2 weeks postinfection. Interleukin (IL)-21 production and IL-21 receptor expression in both mouse strains, however, were similar at 2 weeks, suggesting that the difference in the anti-Leishmania response in these mouse strains may be due to differences in T follicular cell commitment or intrinsic B cell differences. These data support the idea that functional B cells are important for healing L. amazonensis in this infectious disease model.     

Adoptive transfer of the generalized lymphoproliferative disease (gld) syndrome in nude beige mice.

C57BL/6 nude beige mice (B6 nubg) were used as recipients for the transfer of haematopoietic cells from either B6 wild as control mice, or systemic lupus erythematous B6 mice homozygous for the recessive generalized lymphadenopathy disease (gld) locus. Both gld and wild cell grafts prolonged survival of the short-living B6 nubg recipients and restored some T-cell functions, as monitored by the presence of T-dependent Ig isotypes in the serum and responsiveness of spleen cells to a T-cell mitogen. Moreover, the [gld----nubg] chimeras but not the [wild----nubg] chimeras showed several similarities with gld control mice, particularly, a spleen and lymph node hyperplasia, elevated anti-single-stranded DNA antibody titres and a hyperglobulinaemia. This hyperglobulinaemia was however qualitatively different from the gld-type hyperglobulinaemia with an important contribution of the IgG1 isotype; the lymph node hyperplasia was also less marked than in B6 gld mice.     

The phenotype and fate of the antibody-forming cells of the splenic foci

The first product of the humoral response to antigen is low-affinity antibody, produced by extrafollicular foci of antibody-forming cells (AFC) in organs such as spleen and lymph node. These cells proliferate rapidly but then undergo an equally rapid decline, so that they are present in only small numbers 14 days after immunization. We have used 6-parameter flow cytometry to isolate and examine the characteristics of (4-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)acetyl-specific AFC, looking in particular for those markers that might differentiate them from cells of the intrafollicular (germinal center) arm of the T-dependent immune response. At day 7 of the primary response, most AFC were found to express surprisingly low levels of B220, high levels of syndecan, and retain significant levels of surface IgG1. We then used enzyme-linked immunospot assays to demonstrate that the rapid decline of these cells was not likely to be due to migration to organs such as the bone marrow. Their decline could, however, be explained by apoptosis in situ, which was demonstrated immunohistologically by nick-end labeling.