GENETIC CONTROL OF IMMUNE RESPONSES IN VITRO : III. TOLEROGENIC PROPERTIES OF THE TERPOLYMERL-GLUTAMIC ACID60-L-ALANINE30-L-TYROSINE10 (GAT) FOR SPLEEN CELLS FROM NONRESPONDER (H-2qANDH-2s) MICE

Although nonresponder, H-2^s and H-2^q, mice fail to develop GAT-specific PFC responses to GAT, they do develop GAT-specific PFC responses when stimulated by GAT complexed to an immunogenic carrier such as methylated bovine serum albumin. The studies described in this paper show that injection of nonresponder mice with GAT specifically decreases their ability to develop anti-GAT PFC responses to a subsequent challenge with GAT-MBSA. Addition of GAT to cultures of spleen cells from nonresponder mice also prevents development of the GAT-specific PFC responses stimulated by GAT-MBSA. Thus, interaction of nonresponder spleen cells with GAT leads to the induction of unresponsiveness in vivo and in vitro. Various parameters of the tolerance induction have been investigated and described. A comparison of the effects of GAT on B cells indicates that nonresponder B cells are more readily rendered unresponsive by soluble GAT than are responder B cells. The significance of these data for our understanding of Ir gene regulation of the immune response is discussed.     

Lack of oral tolerance in C3H/HeJ mice

Daily gastric intubation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responsive C3H/HeN, BALB/c, and Swiss mice with SRBC for 2 wk resulted in oral tolerance, whereas similarly treated LPS-nonresponsive C3H/HeJ mice gave splenic anti-SRBC PFC responses, including the IgA isotype, after systemic challenge with antigen. Oral tolerance in LPS-responsive C3H/HeN mice was due to T suppressor (Ts) cells because significant Ts cell activity was demonstrated in both Peyer's patches (PP) and spleens of these animals. On the other hand, T cells from PP and spleens of identically treated C3H/HeJ mice exhibited mainly T helper cell activity. Prior treatment of PP or spleen cell preparations from tolerant C3H/HeN mice with anti-Lyt-2.1 resulted in good in vitro anti- SRBC PFC responses, especially IgA isotype responses in PP cell cultures. These results indicate that oral administration of a thymic- dependent antigen (SRBC) to LPS-responsive mice induced a Ts cell population in PP, which, after migration to peripheral lymphoid tissue (e.g., spleen), suppressed responses to systemically administered antigen. LPS-nonresponsive mice lack this Ts cell pathway and continually respond to oral administration of antigen.     

Immune responses in vitro. XI. Suppression of primary IgM and IgG plaque-forming cell responses in vitro by alloantisera against leukocyte alloantigens

The effects of alloantisera against leukocyte alloantigens on plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses to sheep erythrocytes and the terpolymer of L-glutamic acid⁶⁰-L-alanine³⁰-L-tyrosine¹⁰ (GAT) by mouse spleen cells in vitro have been investigated. Polyspecific antibodies against both H-2 and non-H-2 alloantigens on responding spleen cells suppressed both IgM and IgG PFC responses; antisera against alloantigens coded for by the K and I regions, but not the D region, of the H-2 complex also effectively suppressed PFC responses. The suppression was not due to cytotoxicity to the spleen cells or anti-immunoglobulin activity in the sera and was directly related to the amount of antiserum added to the cultures. The suppression was specific for spleen cells against which the alloantiserum was directed. The alloantisera suppressed responses most effectively when present during the first 24 h of incubation, and although not rendering lymphoid cells incapable of developing PFC responses after removal of noncell-bound antibody, did act by interfering with successful initiation of the PFC response. The alloantisera suppressed both IgM and IgG PFC responses when directed against alloantigens only on macrophages, but selectively suppressed IgG responses when directed against alloantigens only on lymphoid cells. The alloantisera did not interfere with the ability of macrophages to bind GAT or to support the viability of the lymphoid cells, but did interfere with the ability of macrophage-associated antigen to effectively stimulate antibody responses by the lymphoid cells. Possible mechanisms for the effects of alloantisera on macrophages and the selective suppression of IgG responses when the antisera are directed against alloantigens on lymphoid cells are discussed with reference to our current understanding of genetic restrictions governing cell interactions in the development of antibody responses in mice.     

Genetic control of immune responses in vitro. I. Development of primary and secondary plaque-forming cell responses to the random terpolymer 1-glutamic acid 60-1-alanine30-1-tyrosine10 (GAT) by mouse spleen cells in vitro

In vivo, the antibody response in mice to the random terpolymer L-glutamic acid⁵⁰-L-alanine³⁰-L-tyrosine¹⁰ (GAT) is controlled by a histocompatibility-linked immune response gene(s). We have studied antibody responses by spleen cells from responder and nonresponder mice to GAT and GAT complexed to methylated bovine serum albumin (GAT-MBSA) in vitro. Cells producing antibodies specific for GAT were enumerated in a modified Jerne plaque assay using GAT coupled to sheep erythrocytes as indicator cells. Soluble GAT stimulated development of IgG GAT-specific plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses in cultures of spleen cells from responder mice, C57Bl/6 (H-2^b), F₁ (C57 x SJL) (H-2^b/s), and A/J (H-2^a). Soluble GAT did not stimulate development of GAT-specific PFC responses in cultures of spleen cells from nonresponder mice, SJL (H-2^s), B10.S (H-2^s), and A.SW (H-2^s). GAT-MBSA stimulated development of IgG GAT-specific PFC responses in cultures of spleen cells from both responder and nonresponder strains of mice. These data correlate precisely with data obtained by measuring the in vivo responses of responder and nonresponder strains of mice to GAT and GAT-MBSA by serological techniques. Therefore, this in vitro system can effectively be used as a model to study the cellular events regulated by histocompatibility-linked immune response genes.     

PURIFIED PROTEIN DERIVATIVE OF TUBERCULIN INDUCES IMMUNOGLOBULIN PRODUCTION IN NORMAL MOUSE SPLEEN CELLS

Purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin induced immunoglobulin production in cultures of nonimmune mouse spleen cells, as measured by plaque-forming cells (PFC) against sheep erythrocytes (SRBC), horse erythrocytes, and 4-hydroxy-3,5-dinitrophenacetyl-SRBC. The increase started between 15 and 20 h of culture and reached a peak at 48–72 h. Higher PPD concentrations resulted in earlier peak responses than low concentrations. The Ig produced was mainly 19S and of very low avidity. The response elicited by PPD was of the same type as that caused by lipopolysaccharide of bacterial origin. Mitomycin treatment of cells before culture did not change the numbers of PFC/10⁶ recovered cells but the cell recovery was considerably lower. Also injection of PPD in vivo resulted in increased numbers of PFC. On the basis of these results it is suggested that PPD nonspecifically activates a majority of the B cell population to proliferation and immunoglobulin synthesis.     

GENETIC CONTROL OF IMMUNE RESPONSES IN VITRO : II. CELLULAR REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY PLAQUE-FORMING CELL RESPONSES TO THE RANDOM TERPOLYMER L-GLUTAMIC ACID60-L-ALANINE30-L-TYROSINE10 (GAT) BY MOUSE SPLEEN CELLS IN VITRO

The cellular requirements for the development of primary IgG GAT-specific PFC responses in cultures of spleen cells from responder, C57Bl/6, mice stimulated with GAT and GAT-MBSA and in cultures of spleen cells from nonresponder, SJL and B10.S, mice stimulated with GAT-MBSA were investigated. Macrophages were required for development of responses to GAT and GAT-MBSA in cultures of spleen cells from responder mice and for responses to GAT-MBSA in cultures of spleen cells from nonresponder mice. Macrophages from nonresponder mice supported the development of responses to GAT by nonadherent responder spleen cells, indicating that the failure of nonresponder mice to respond to GAT is not due to a macrophage defect. Furthermore, responder macrophages supported the responses of nonadherent, nonresponder spleen cells to SRBC and GAT-MBSA, but not to GAT. This indicates that the capacity to respond to GAT is a function of the nonadherent population which is composed of thymus-derived (T) helper cells and precursors of antibody-producing cells. Treatment of spleen cells with anti-theta serum and complement before culture initiation abolished PFC responses to GAT and GAT-MBSA thus establishing the requirement for T cells in the development of PFC responses to these antigens. Since precursors of antibody-producing cells in nonresponder mice are capable of synthesizing antibody specific for GAT after stimulation with GAT-MBSA and since the response to GAT is thymus-dependent, it appears that nonresponder mice lack GAT-specific helper T cell function.     

REGULATION OF CELLULAR ANTIBODY SYNTHESIS : CELLULAR 7S PRODUCTION AND LONGEVITY OF 7S ANTIGEN-SENSITIVE CELLS IN THE ABSENCE OF ANTIBODY FEEDBACK

Transfer of spleen cells from mice immunized against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) into irradiated (600 R) nonimmune, syngeneic mice in the presence of antigen resulted in excessive cellular 7S production 7 days later. The number of 7S plaque-forming cells usually exceeded 10⁶ per spleen and the mean proportion varied between 1 and 70%. In occasional animals all spleen cells were producing antibodies to SRBC. Serum antibody synthesis was also excessively increased, the titers in agglutination after 2-ME treatment and in hemolysis varying between 2¹⁵ and 2²⁵. The generation time of the 7S PFC was found to be 9.6 hr in the secondary hosts. It seemed possible that the excessive production of 7S PFC and antibodies in the irradiated nonimmune recipients was caused by the absence of feedback inhibition of the immune response by antibody, a mechanism which would normally function to restrict antibody synthesis. This conclusion was strengthened by the demonstration that transfer of antigen-stimulated immune cells into actively or passively immunized irradiated recipients resulted in a marked suppression of cellular 7S synthesis. Serial transfers of antigen-stimulated immune cell populations in irradiated hosts resulted in an equally high number of 7S PFC during the first four transfer generations. However, after the fifth to seventh transfer generation the number of 7S PFC rapidly declined and disappeared within one to three passages. Serum antibodies and 7S PFC declined in parallel during the last transfer generations. Further passages of antigen-stimulated spleen cells lacking 7S PFC did not lead to reappearance of PFC. Thus, antigen-sensitive cells have a limited lifespan and/or multiplication capacity. From the hypothesis that the 7S PFC developed by division from antigen-sensitive precursors it was calculated that 38–40 divisions occurred, Thus, one antigen-sensitive precursor has the potential to give rise to 10¹² 7S PFC.     

THE PROLIFERATIVE AND ANAMNESTIC ANTIBODY RESPONSE OF RABBIT LYMPHOID CELLS IN VITRO : II. REQUIREMENT FOR ADHERENT AND NONADHERENT CELLS OF THE RESPONSES TO PARTICULATE ANTIGENS IN SPLEEN CELL CULTURES

Both primary and secondary responses to sheep erythrocytes and to Brucella abortus antigen have been obtained in cultures of dispersed rabbit spleen cells. Removal of adherent cells by repeated incubation of spleen cells on absorbent cotton diminished the ability of the spleen cell suspensions to give secondary as well as primary responses in vitro. When comparing cultures made in dishes and in tubes, the loss of responsiveness after incubation on cotton was much more evident in the dish cultures. It was concluded that the cell-to-cell interaction needed for immune responses to particulate antigens in vitro was more readily interfered with when the cells were spread over a larger surface area. The proliferative response to antigen, as measured by uptake of ³H-thymidine in tube cultures of the sensitive spleen cells, appeared particularly resistant to the depletion effect of adherent cell removal. Dispersed spleen cells from sensitized mice gave a secondary response to sheep erythrocytes. This response was readily abolished by one incubation on absorbent cotton when the cells were cultured in dishes.     

Selective inhibition of functional lymphocyte subpopulations by ribavirin.

The present studies were designed to examine the effects of ribavirin (1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide), a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, on the generation of murine antibody responses in vitro. Whereas primary and secondary sheep erythrocyte-specific, plaque-forming cell responses by normal murine spleen cells were enhanced by low concentrations of ribavirin (1 microgram per culture), they were strongly inhibited by higher concentrations of ribavirin (5 to 10 micrograms per culture). Both phenomena occurred with the greatest magnitude when spleen cells were exposed to ribavirin 48 to 72 h after culture initiation. Enhancement appeared to result from selective interference with suppressor T cells, since ribavirin failed to augment lipopolysaccharide-specific plaque-forming cell responses in T cell-depleted spleen cell cultures but inhibited concanavalin A-induced lymphocyte proliferation and suppressor T cell generation in cultures of normal spleen cells. The immunosuppressive properties of ribavirin were mediated by a direct antiproliferative effect and, at higher concentrations, a cytotoxic effect for B lymphocytes, since the drug inhibited plaque-forming cell responses in T cell-depleted spleen cell cultures, suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced lymphocyte proliferation and reduced viable spleen cell recoveries.     

IN VITRO STIMULATION OF ANTIBODY FORMATION BY PERITONEAL CELLS : II. CELL INTERACTIONS AND EFFECTS OF IMMUNOCHEMICAL OR METABOLIC INHIBITORS

Peritoneal cells (PC) from normal, unimmunized mice were placed in ultra-thin monolayer cultures containing carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), sheep red blood cells (SRBC), and complement, and tested for the appearance of plaques of lysis. The behavior of PC from young male mice and from female mice that had given birth to several litters (retired breeder mice) was studied. It was found that cells from spleen, mesenteric lymph node, thymus, bone marrow, thoracic duct lymph, or Peyer's patches could not form plaques in the CMC microcultures. Also, various combinations of these cells did not lead to plaque formation. When cells from any of these sources were mixed with PC, there was either no effect or an actual inhibition of plaque formation, the plaque counts being lower than would have been expected from the number of PC present in the mixture. Optimal plaque formation by peritoneal cells was found to be dependent on an optimal cell concentration, this optimum being around 5 x 10⁶/ml for young male mice and 0.5 x 10⁶/ml for retired breeders. Inhibition of plaque formation was found with either supra- or suboptimal cell concentrations. The inhibition by excess cell concentration may have been a simple nutritional or nonspecific overcrowding effect, as it could also be induced by an addition of an excess of spleen or lymph node cells. The failure of more dilute PC preparations to give adequate numbers of plaques appeared to be more specific, as plaque numbers could not be restored to normal by addition of spleen cells. The suggestion was that some cell to cell interaction between PC was involved. This dependence on cell concentration was not seen with immunized spleen PFC. Plaque appearance could be specifically and reversibly suppressed by placing PC in a medium containing rabbit anti-mouse IgM serum. Anti-IgG serum had no such effect. These experiments strengthened our view, expressed in the accompanying paper, that plaque formation was due to the formation of IgM, hemolytic antibody to SRBC by the PC. Metabolic inhibitors were incorporated into monolayer cultures and had different effects with the different types of PFC used. In the case of spleen cells from mice actively immunized against SRBC 4 days before killing, actinomycin D had no effect on plaque counts and puromycin reduced plaque numbers by a factor of 2. In the case of PC from young male mice, actinomycin D in concentrations above 0.01 µg/ml caused reductions down to < 2% of control values in plaque counts, and puromycin (10 µg/ml) had a similar effect. The PC from retired breeder mice occupied an intermediate position between the two cases just discussed. A compartment of cells, equal to about one-fifth of the total normal PFC compartment, was identified as resistant to high concentrations of either actinomycin D or puromycin, being similar in these respects to PFC from spleens of intentionally preimmunized mice. The mitotic poison, Colcemid, did not affect plaque counts in any situation tested. The theoretical implications of these results are briefly discussed.     

CELLULAR INTERACTIONS IN THE PROLIFERATIVE RESPONSE OF HUMAN T AND B LYMPHOCYTES TO PHYTOMITOGENS AND ALLOGENEIC LYMPHOCYTES

In vitro studies were performed to determine the proliferative responsiveness of human peripheral blood thymus-dependent (T) and thymus-independent (B) lymphocytes to phytomitogens and allogeneic lymphocytes. Recombination of T and B cells, with selective inhibition of proliferation of one of the two populations, was used to identify cellular interactions which may contribute to cell proliferation. The distinctive feature of human T lymphocytes to form rosettes with unsensitized sheep erythrocytes was utilized to separate human peripheral blood lymphocytes into highly purified resetting (T) and non-rosetting (B) cells. The proliferative response of these separated lymphocyte subpopulations to various stimulants was assessed from the uptake of tritiated thymidine into DNA. Phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, and allogeneic lymphocytes stimulated separated T cells, whereas no proliferation was observed with the T-cell-depleted B-cell population. This suggests that it is the human T cell which is activated directly by these stimulants. In the presence of T cells (proliferating or nonproliferating), B cells were capable of proliferation following stimulation with phytomitogens, but not in response to histocompatibility antigens. Thus, T-cell-mediated B-cell proliferation contributes to the overall lymphocyte response in phytomitogen-stimulated T + B cell mixtures, but not in human mixed leukocyte cultures. T-cell activation by allogeneic cells required the presence of monocytes; in contrast, the three tested phytomitogens stimulated T cells in the absence of monocytes. This indicates that direct interaction of mitogens with lymphocyte membrane receptors is sufficient to trigger T cells into proliferative response. However, monocytes considerably enhanced the proliferative response of T cells in a dose-dependent fashion; this monocyte-dependent mechanism of T-cell activation was predominant at lower concentrations of phytomitogens, and contributed relatively less at higher mitogen doses. Both, the direct, monocyte-independent, and the indirect, monocyte-dependent T-lymphocyte activation contribute to the total in vitro response of lymphocyte preparations to phytomitogens.     

CELLULAR DIFFERENTIATION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF MICE : VI. STRAIN DIFFERENCES IN CLASS DIFFERENTIATION AND OTHER PROPERTIES OF MARROW CELLS

Marrow cells and 5 x 10⁷ thymocytes of unprimed (C57BL/6 x DBA/2)F₁, (C57BL/10 x WB)F₁ and (C3H x C57BL)F₁ donor mice were mixed in vitro and transplanted into X-irradiated syngeneic hosts. Upon injection of sheep erythrocytes, splenic plaque-forming cells (PFC) secreting IgM (direct PFC or IgG (indirect PFC) hemolytic antibody were enumerated at the time of peak responses. By grading the numbers of marrow cells, inocula were found that contained few immunocompetent cells reaching the recipient spleens, interacting with thymocytes or other accessory cells (or both), and generating PFC. The frequency of responses in BDF₁ mice conformed to Poisson statistics, indicating that immunocompetent marrow cells participated in a single-hit interaction limiting PFC responses. The marrow cells assayed were not restricted for the antibody class (IgM versus IgG) to be secreted by mature PFC. Unrestricted marrow cells could have been either the precursors of PFC or accessory cells. Different results were obtained in BWF₁ and C3BF₁ mice. The frequency of responses in relation to the number of marrow cells grafted did not follow Poisson statistics, and the limiting cells were restricted for antibody class. Presumably, immunocompetent cells of these strains were more heterogeneous than those of BDF₁ mice and participated in a multiplicity of cell-to-cell interactions. The strain differences reflected inherent properties of marrow cells and not influences of the environment in which PFC were produced. The results confirmed for bone marrow the heterogeneity of immunocompetent cells reported by others for spleen, and suggested that genetic factors such as "immune response" genes regulate cellular differentiation also for functions other than those related to antibody specificity.     

In vitro macrophage manifestation of cortisone-induced decrease in resistance to mouse hepatitis virus

Genetically resistant G3H mice routinely yielded macrophages that were resistant when grown in 90% horse serum. These mice also routinely yielded macrophages that were susceptible to the same virus, MHV (PRI), in vitro after the mice had been treated with three intraperitoneal doses, of hydrocortisone. Dexamethasone and prednisolone when similarly administered also increased the susceptibility of C3H macrophages taken from the treated animal, but progesterone and testosterone did not. In addition, spleen cells from mice treated with cortisone made the resistant C3H macrophages 100 times more susceptible in vitro. Increased in vitro susceptibility induced in this way by hydrocortisone was reversed by exposure to supernatant fluid removed from cultures of concanavalin A-treated spleen cells.     

Enhancement of in vitro and in vivo antigen-specific antibody responses by interleukin 11

The availability of large quantities of highly purified recombinant interleukin 11 (rhuIL-11) has allowed us to investigate the effects of rhuIL-11 on sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-specific antibody responses in the murine system. The results showed that rhuIL-11 was effective in enhancing the generation of mouse spleen SRBC-specific plaque-forming cells (PFC) in the in vitro cell culture system in a dose-dependent manner. These effects of rhuIL-11 were abrogated completely by the addition of anti-rhuIL-11 antibody, but not by the addition of preimmunized rabbit serum. Cell-depletion studies revealed that L3T4 (CD4)+ T cells, but not Lyt-2 (CD8)+ T cells, are required in the rhuIL-11-stimulated augmentation of SRBC-specific antibody responses. The effects of rhuIL-11 on the SRBC-specific antibody responses in vivo were also examined. RhuIL-11 administration to normal C3H/HeJ mice resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the number of spleen SRBC-specific PFC as well as serum SRBC-specific antibody titer in both the primary and secondary immune responses. In mice immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide treatment, rhuIL-11 administration significantly augmented the number of spleen SRBC-specific PFC as well as serum SRBC-specific antibody titer when compared with the cyclophosphamide-treated mice without IL-11 treatment. These results demonstrated that IL-11 is a novel cytokine involved in modulating antigen-specific antibody responses in vitro as well as in vivo.     

INDUCTION OF A HEMOLYSIN RESPONSE IN VITRO : INTERACTION OF CELLS OF BONE MARROW ORIGIN AND THYMIC ORIGIN

The immune response to foreign erythrocytes was studied in vitro. Two subpopulations of cells were prepared. One was a population of bone marrow-derived spleen cells, taken from thymectomized, irradiated, and bone marrow-reconstituted mice; there was evidence that most of the precursors of the PFC had been present in this cell population, but few PFC developed in cultures of these cells alone in the presence of immunogenic erythrocytes. Another cell suspension was made from spleens of mice which had been irradiated and injected with thymus cells and erythrocytes; these cells were called educated T cells. The two cell suspensions together allow the formation of PFC in the presence of the erythrocytes which were used to educate the T cells, but not in the presence of noncross-reacting erythrocytes. If bone marrow-derived cells and T cells were kept in culture together with two different species of erythrocytes, and if one of the erythrocytes had been used to educate the T cells, then PFC against each of the erythrocytes could be detected.     

BIOLOGICAL EXPRESSIONS OF LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVATION : II. GENERATION OF A POPULATION OF THYMUS-DERIVED SUPPRESSOR LYMPHOCYTES

A population of thymus-derived lymphocytes has been identified that, upon activation by the nonspecific plant mitogen concanavalin A, suppresses the development of plaque-forming cell responses in fresh or 48-h antigen-stimulated cultures of mouse spleen cells. Suppressor cells can inhibit both primary and secondary IgM and IgG responses in vitro. X-irradiation before activation of peripheral thymus-derived cells by concanavalin A abrogates generation of suppressor cells. After a 48 h activation period, however, the function of concanavalin A-activated suppressor cells is radioresistant. As yet uncertain is whether these suppressor cells are a population of cells distinct from thymus-derived "helper" cells. In certain important regards, the cells mediating these two opposing functions share similar characteristics; the effect observed may be determined by the circumstances of activation or the numbers of activated cells, and may consequently represent different functions of a single thymus-derived regulator cell population.     

Immune responses in vitro. 3. Development of primary gamma-M, gamma-G, and gamma-A plaque-forming cell responses in mouse spleen cell cultures stimulated with heterologous erythrocytes

We have demonstrated for the first time that mouse spleen cells stimulated in vitro with heterologous erythrocytes developed immunoglobulin class-specific γM, γ₁, γ_2a+2b, and γA plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses. A modification of the hemolytic plaque technique, the addition of goat anti-mouse µ-chain antibody to the assay preparation, specifically prevented development of all γM PFC and enabled accurate and reproducible enumeration of immunoglobulin class-specific PFC after treatment with appropriate monospecific anti-globulins and complement. Culture conditions, with regard to medium, atmosphere, agitation, and spleen cell densities, were similar to those previously shown to support only γM PFC responses. Evaluation of the kinetics of appearance of PFC showed that γM PFC reached maximum numbers on days 4–5; the magnitude of this response was 3–10 times greater than γ₁ γ_2a+2b, or γA PFC which reached maximum numbers on days 5–6. Optimal erythrocyte antigen dose for γM PFC responses was 10⁷/culture, whereas a dose of 10⁶ erythrocytes/culture consistently stimulated optimal γ₁ γ_2a+2b, or γA PFC responses. Investigations of the effects of anti-erythrocyte antibody on γM and γG PFC responses indicated that antibody suppressed these responses by neutralizing the effective antigenic stimulus at the macrophage-dependent phase of the response. At the same antibody concentration, γG PFC responses were more effectively suppressed than γM PFC responses. Further, γG responses could be almost completely suppressed by antibody as long as 48 hr after initiation of cultures, whereas γM PFC responses could only be completely suppressed during the first 24 hr. These results were discusssed in terms of the role of antigen in the stimulation γM and γG antibody.     

A hemolytic plaque assay for activated murine T cells

In an earlier report, it was shown that murine spleen cells cultured with concanavalin A (Con A) released into the culture supernatants helper and suppressor substances for antibody production. The present communication describes the production of rabbit antisera against culture supernates from Con A-activated spleen cells and their use in a plaque assay for mitogen-activated T cells. The plaque assay, utilizing SRBC to which Staphylococcal protein A had been coupled, the developing anti-supernatant antiserum and guinea pig complement, readily detected secreting T cells. The T-cell nature of the plaque-forming cells (PFC) was established principally by the following: (a) the majority of lymphocytes in the centers of plaques were Thy-1-positive by fluroescence; (b) spleen cells depleted of B cells by incubation in plastic dishes coated with rabbit anti-mouse Ig antibody gave greatly enriched PFC responses; (c) anti-Thy-1 and anti-Lyt-2.2 treatment of spleen cells almost completely depleted PFC; (d) T-cell mitogens (Con A and phytohemagglutinin) but not B-cell mitogens (lipopolysaccharides) induced PFC responses; (e) T cells maintained in culture for 10 d with Con A and T-cell growth factor yielded PFC. Kinetic and dose response studies showed that high doses of mitogen induced rapidly appearing T- PFC and the responses peaked at day 1--2 of culture. Lower doses of mitogen-induced PFC required longer periods of incubation for detection, indicating that cell activation and secretion may be different dose-dependent activities of mitogens. Another noteworthy finding was that the antiserum reacted with surface antigens of T-PFC, indicating that secreted products are expressed on the membranes of T cells, offering the possibility of isolating populations of cells with specific secretory potential. Although the precise nature of the T-cell products detected by the antiserum used in this assay are unresolved, 10% of the target-cell-adherent population from spleen cells of BALB/c mice sensitized to L929 cells formed plaques. This suggests that the antiserum has significant activity against the products of cytotoxic T cells, a finding which accords with the activity of anti-Lyt-2.2 serum against mitogen-induced T-PFC. The method clearly offers new possibilities for the analysis of T cells and their products and should provide an important approach to the clonal analysis of lymphokine production.     

Pyran and Polyribonucleotides: Differences in Biological Activities

Maleic anhydride-divinyl ether copolymer (pyran) and the polyribonucleotides are both large polyanions with potent antiviral activity. However, they are biologically quite different. Interferon levels of 100 units or more/ml were associated with antiviral activity of polyribonucleotides. Interferon induction by pyran compounds was not primarily involved in antiviral resistance because preparations that did not induce interferon possessed antiviral activity equal to that of interferoninducing preparations. Both polyriboinosinic-cytidylic acid [poly (rI.rC)] and pyran increased the immune response to sheep erythrocytes in the Jerne hemolytic plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay, but their modes of immunoadjuvant action differed. On peak day, poly (rI.rC)-treated mice demonstrated 5.1 × 10⁴ PFC/spleen (557 PFC/10⁶ nucleated cells) and pyran-treated mice exhibited 4.5 × 10⁴ PFC/spleen (299 PFC/10⁶ nucleated cells), as compared with 2.7 × 10⁴ PFC/spleen (261 PFC/10⁶ nucleated cells) in controls. The compounds also differed in phagocytic alteration; polyribonucleotides did not affect phagocytosis whereas pyran produced a biphasic response. Both polyanions exhibited toxic inhibition of liver microsomal enzyme metabolism of type I and type II drugs. However, whereas pyran sensitized mice 50-fold to the lethal effects of endotoxin, the polyribonucleotides did not significantly sensitize mice to endotoxin.     

MATURATION OF THE HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSE IN MICE

In spite of the prenatal appearance of immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes and θ-positive lymphocytes in the spleens of Swiss-L mice, these mice are not able to produce detectable levels of humoral antibodies in response to antigen until after 1 wk of age. Adult levels of response are not achieved until 4–8 wk of age. In the presence of bacterial lipopolysaccharides, which can substitute for or enhance T-cell function, the B cells from young Swiss-L mice were found to be indistinguishable in function from adult B cells, both with respect to the numbers of plaque-forming cells (PFC) produced in vitro in response to antigen and with respect to the kinetics of PFC induction. The spleen cells from young Swiss-L mice are significantly less sensitive than adult spleen cells, however, to stimulation by the T cell mitogens, concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Very few Con A-responsive cells could be detected at birth but the numbers increased sharply with age until 3 wk after birth. On the other hand, PHA-responsive cells could not be detected in the spleen until about 3 wk of age. The latter cells were found to respond also to Con A, but at a lower dose (1 µg/ml) than that required for the bulk of the Con A-responsive cells (3 µg/ml). The cells that respond both to PHA and to Con A appear in the spleen at about the time that Swiss-L mice acquire the ability to produce humoral antibodies, and these cells can be depleted from the spleen by the in vivo administration of antithymocyte serum. The development of humoral immune responses in these mice therefore appears to be correlated with the appearance of recirculating T lymphocytes that are responsive both to PHA and to Con A.