Role of cell surface immunoglobulin in B-lymphocyte activation

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1984 Apr;81(8):2466-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.81.8.2466.

Abstract

The role of cell surface immunoglobulin in helper T-cell-dependent B-cell activation was analyzed using a B-cell lymphoma, CH12, with known antigen specificity and activation properties similar to those of a resting B cell. Two sources of helper T cells were used, both selected such that they interact with H-2-encoded determinants on CH12 in the absence of the specific B-cell antigen, sheep erythrocytes. By this dissociation of the specificity of the T cells from that of the B cells, the requirement for antigen in the induction of CH12 to antibody secretion could be studied. The results show that both helper T-cell-B-cell interactions and surface immunoglobulin-antigen binding are involved in inducing B-cell differentiation, thus establishing a signalling function for the antigen receptor on B lymphocytes. Our data also show that the requirement for surface immunoglobulin-ligand interactions in B-cell activation can, under certain conditions, be circumvented, notably when high (nonphysiologic) multiplicities of T-cell help are used.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / immunology
  • H-2 Antigens / immunology
  • Immunoglobulins / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Lymphoma / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Species Specificity
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology

Substances

  • H-2 Antigens
  • Immunoglobulins