Antibody response of BALB/c mice to dextran B1355S: alterations in the expression of an idiotype associated with the depletion of idiotype- binding cells

• Published in: The Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 135; no. 3; pp. 1690 - 1697
• Main Authors: Schepart, BS, Abu-Hadid, M, Mayers, GL, Bankert, RB
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Am Assoc Immnol 01.09.1985; American Association of Immunologists
• Subjects: Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity; Animals; Antibody production; Antibody Specificity; Antigens, T-Independent - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Dextrans - immunology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Immunobiology; Immunoglobulin Idiotypes - immunology; Immunoglobulins - immunology; Lymphocytes - immunology; Lymphocytes - radiation effects; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Spleen - cytology; Spleen - immunology; Dextran; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Immune response; Mouse; Antibody; Rodentia; Immune regulation; Humoral immunity; Idiotype
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1550-6606
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.135.3.1690

In this study, we established that BALB/c mice recognize and respond to the idiotype (M104E IdI) of a major dextran-specific clonotype within the BALB/c mouse repertoire. This idiotype recognition is established by demonstrating the presence of idiotype-binding cells and by the production of antibodies specific for the private M104E idiotype. To determine whether or not the idiotype-recognizing cells play a regulatory role during an immune response to dextran, the idiotype-binding cells were selectively removed either by panning or by radiation-induced killing. Two significant effects are observed when the depleted spleen cells are immunized with dextran. First, there is a substantial increase in the proportion of anti-dextran antibodies that are M104E IdI+. The second effect of the idiotype-specific cell depletion is the production of significant amounts of M104E IdI+ immunoglobulin molecules which do not bind dextran. The depletion experiments produced no alteration in the concentration of anti-dextran antibodies found in the serum or in the number of dextran-specific PFC in the spleen. The data indicate that idiotype-reactive cells can play a role in regulating the level of individual clonotype expression (i.e., the M104E clonotype), but that an alternative mechanism must exist for regulating the absolute amount of anti-dextran antibody produced after immunization.