Clonal repertoire analysis of murine B cells specific for repeat sequence antigens of Plasmodium falciparum

Clonal analysis of the murine B-cell repertoire has been used to investigate the possible role of tandem repeat sequence epitopes of Plasmodium falciparum in immune evasion. A limiting dilution culture system was used whereby murine spleen cells were stimulated with the B-cell mitogen lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence of 3T3 fibroblast filler cells. One in three B cells were shown to produce clones secreting immunoglobulin measurable by an ELISA. The frequency of antibody forming cell precursors (AFCp) specific for the 3' repeat epitopes of the ring injected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) was estimated in non-primed mice and found to be low. However, an accurate frequency determination was not possible using this method since the detection of the few positive cultures was found to depend on the presence of more than one AFCp or its products. Limiting dilution analysis was used to assess the frequency and repertoire of splenic AFCp at various times after immunization with a synthetic peptide of the RESA 3' repeat epitope (8 x 4-mer), presented in various ways. There was no marked increase in LPS-responsive AFCp specific for this antigen at the level of either IgM or IgG secretion. This was in marked contrast to the antibody response in vivo, where moderate IgG antibody titres, normally indicative of a secondary response, were seen in the serum of the same mice used for AFCp assay. This discrepancy between serum titre and AFCp frequency following immunization was not apparent with a non-malarial antigen, keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). It was concluded that the LPS-stimulated limiting dilution culture system was not registering RESA-specific memory AFCp. These results raise the possibility that the malarial antigens are deficient in memory B-cell generation, or that secondary responses to these determinants may arise from a distinct B-cell progenitor which is non-responsive to LPS in vitro.

Recombinant human interleukin 6 (B cell stimulatory factor 2) enhances immunoglobulin secretion by single murine hapten-specific B cells in the absence of cell division

We have assessed the role of recombinant human IL-6 (r-hu-IL-6) in promotion of early activation, proliferation, and immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion amongst single hapten-specific murine splenic B cells in vitro. It was found that r-hu-IL-6 acting alone was able to induce early B cell activation in a proportion of B cells, as measured by a significant increase in cell diameter within 24 h. An enhanced effect was seen in the concomitant presence of a 'T-independent' antigen. None of the B cells activated by r-hu-IL-6 appeared to divide, as the frequencies of proliferating clones induced by either medium alone or antigen alone were virtually identical whether r-hu-IL-6 was present or absent. However, assay of the culture supernatants for the presence of Ig by ELISA revealed that r-hu-IL-6 effected a significant 2-fold increase in the frequency of B cells secreting Ig. Thus, the prime effect of r-hu-IL-6 appears to be to recruit more precursor B cells into Ig secretion, rather than to promote proliferation or to enhance the amount of Ig secreted by pre-committed but non-cycling B cells. Delayed addition experiments showed that r-hu-IL-6 enhanced Ig secretion late in the activation pathway. Kinetics studies demonstrated detectable Ig secretion as early as day 2, and when taken with its apparent ability to induce early activation, these findings suggest that IL-6 is not exclusively a late-acting interleukin. Studies with size fractionated hapten-specific B cells showed the larger B cells to be preferentially responsive to r-hu-IL-6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of the B lymphocyte repertoire by polyclonal activation. Hindrance by clones yielding antibodies which bind promiscuously to plastic

We here describe a form of 'noise' in the ELISA as commonly performed on antigen-coated microtiter trays that represents a major hindrance to the accurate enumeration of infrequent antibody-forming cell (AFC) precursors (AFCp) specific for epitopes on monomeric proteins. Supernatants from cultures of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine splenocytes, when split into aliquots and separately assayed, scored as positive in parallel on ELISA trays coated with unrelated proteins and on uncoated trays. Some properties of such coincident false positives (CFP) noted were: (1) optical density (OD) ranges for CFP and non-CFP overlapped; (2) different members of CFP triplets on differently coated assay trays usually had similar OD values; (3) CFP-generating culture supernatants did not contain unusually high immunoglobulin concentrations; and (4) numbers of CFP-forming supernatants increased with increasing input cells/culture consistent with causation by single AFCp present at an approximate mean frequency of 1 in 6600 CBA splenocytes. It is proposed that CFP are due to AFC clones that secrete antibody reactive with some epitope(s) present in the assay tray itself. Repertoire elements with such 'anti-plastic' characteristics are rarer than anti-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) AFCp, but at least as frequent as anti-bovine serum albumin (BSA) or anti-transferrin (TFN) AFCp.

Immunologic competence of B cells subjected to constitutive c-myc oncogene expression in immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer myc transgenic mice

B cell activation is associated with a marked transient rise in expression of the c-myc proto-onco-gene. A unique opportunity to examine the effects of constitutive c-myc expression upon B cell function is provided by transgenic mice in which the c-myc oncogene is regulated by the enhancer (E mu) from the immunoglobulin locus (E mu-myc mice). We have examined the immunologic competence of B cells from E mu-myc mice both in vitro and in vivo. Upon stimulation, many E mu-myc B cells can proliferate to form clones most of which contain antibody-forming cells. However, the frequency of responsive B cells from E mu-myc donors is only about 30% that of B cells from normal littermates. Thus, enforced myc expression is not sufficient to block the differentiation of all B cells, but a much larger fraction of the immunoglobulin-bearing cells from E mu-myc mice are incompetent. Upon immunization, E mu-myc mice mounted specific antibody responses, although some responses were delayed. Isotype switching can occur, since we observed hemolytic plaques of both IgM and IgG type and detected specific antibody of both classes in the serum. Moreover, the serum from nonimmunized E mu-myc mice contained normal levels of both IgM and IgG. Thus constitutive expression of the c-myc gene appears to retard B cell differentiation, but does not grossly impair immunologic function in the intact animal.

Immunologic competence of B cells subjected to constitutive c-myc oncogene expression in immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer myc transgenic mice

B cell activation is associated with a marked transient rise in expression of the c-myc proto-onco-gene. A unique opportunity to examine the effects of constitutive c-myc expression upon B cell function is provided by transgenic mice in which the c-myc oncogene is regulated by the enhancer (E mu) from the immunoglobulin locus (E mu-myc mice). We have examined the immunologic competence of B cells from E mu-myc mice both in vitro and in vivo. Upon stimulation, many E mu-myc B cells can proliferate to form clones most of which contain antibody-forming cells. However, the frequency of responsive B cells from E mu-myc donors is only about 30% that of B cells from normal littermates. Thus, enforced myc expression is not sufficient to block the differentiation of all B cells, but a much larger fraction of the immunoglobulin-bearing cells from E mu-myc mice are incompetent. Upon immunization, E mu-myc mice mounted specific antibody responses, although some responses were delayed. Isotype switching can occur, since we observed hemolytic plaques of both IgM and IgG type and detected specific antibody of both classes in the serum. Moreover, the serum from nonimmunized E mu-myc mice contained normal levels of both IgM and IgG. Thus constitutive expression of the c-myc gene appears to retard B cell differentiation, but does not grossly impair immunologic function in the intact animal.

Recombinant T cell replacing factor (interleukin 5) acts with antigen to promote the growth and differentiation of single hapten-specific B lymphocytes

The role of murine recombinant T cell replacing factor (rTRF) (interleukin 5) in the early activation, proliferation, and antibody-forming cell (AFC) clone formation of single fluorescein (FLU)-specific B cells was examined in vitro. FLU-specific B cells were selected by their adherence to FLU-gelatin and then cultured in 10-microliters wells with or without rTRF in the presence or absence of the T-independent antigen FLU-polymerized flagellin (FLU-POL). rTRF acting alone was unable to induce early B cell activation as assessed by significant cell enlargement after 24 hr in culture. When acting in the presence of FLU-POL, however, a greater number of B cells were induced to enlarge than with FLU-POL alone. When FLU-specific B cells were cultured in the presence of FLU-POL, the addition of rTRF markedly increased the frequencies of both proliferating clones and AFC clones above that induced by FLU-POL alone. Furthermore, in the presence of FLU-POL, the activity of rTRF was comparable to that seen with the mixture of B cell growth and differentiation factors contained within the supernatant from concanavalin A-stimulated EL4 cells. However, rTRF exerted little activity when acting alone in contrast to the medium conditioned by concanavalin A-stimulated EL4 cells which showed some activity in the absence of FLU-POL. rTRF acting with FLU-POL also promoted AFC clone development among single B cells stimulated in the presence of 3T3 fibroblast filler cells. Thus rTRF can be added to the list of B cell active factors (including recombinant murine interleukin 1 and recombinant human interleukin 2) that act in the concomitant presence of antigen to induce both growth and differentiation among single hapten-specific murine splenic B cells. This stands in contrast to the activity seen with interleukin 4 (formerly termed B cell stimulatory factor 1) which acts to promote early activation and proliferation but not IgM secretion.

Recombinant T cell replacing factor (interleukin 5) acts with antigen to promote the growth and differentiation of single hapten-specific B lymphocytes

The role of murine recombinant T cell replacing factor (rTRF) (interleukin 5) in the early activation, proliferation, and antibody-forming cell (AFC) clone formation of single fluorescein (FLU)-specific B cells was examined in vitro. FLU-specific B cells were selected by their adherence to FLU-gelatin and then cultured in 10-microliters wells with or without rTRF in the presence or absence of the T-independent antigen FLU-polymerized flagellin (FLU-POL). rTRF acting alone was unable to induce early B cell activation as assessed by significant cell enlargement after 24 hr in culture. When acting in the presence of FLU-POL, however, a greater number of B cells were induced to enlarge than with FLU-POL alone. When FLU-specific B cells were cultured in the presence of FLU-POL, the addition of rTRF markedly increased the frequencies of both proliferating clones and AFC clones above that induced by FLU-POL alone. Furthermore, in the presence of FLU-POL, the activity of rTRF was comparable to that seen with the mixture of B cell growth and differentiation factors contained within the supernatant from concanavalin A-stimulated EL4 cells. However, rTRF exerted little activity when acting alone in contrast to the medium conditioned by concanavalin A-stimulated EL4 cells which showed some activity in the absence of FLU-POL. rTRF acting with FLU-POL also promoted AFC clone development among single B cells stimulated in the presence of 3T3 fibroblast filler cells. Thus rTRF can be added to the list of B cell active factors (including recombinant murine interleukin 1 and recombinant human interleukin 2) that act in the concomitant presence of antigen to induce both growth and differentiation among single hapten-specific murine splenic B cells. This stands in contrast to the activity seen with interleukin 4 (formerly termed B cell stimulatory factor 1) which acts to promote early activation and proliferation but not IgM secretion.

T-independent activation of single B cells: an orderly analysis of overlapping stages in the activation pathway

This review has three chief purposes. It describes a microculture system in which single, hapten-specific B lymphocytes can be microscopically observed, cultured and assayed for antibody production in isolation and thus are the unequivocal target of ligands present in the culture fluid. It defines the respective roles of antigens and cytokines acting singly or in combination in the four discernible phases of the immunoproliferative cascade, namely activation, clonal expansion, IgM antibody secretion and isotype switching. It then argues that this precise stepwise analysis can yield useful information concerning important immunological situations, such as experimentally induced immunological tolerance or the effects of constitutive expression of the c-myc oncogene. Evidence is presented that initial activation of the resting B cell in "T-independent" triggering can be achieved either by attachment of a molecule that has B-cell stimulatory properties, such as FLU-LPS or FLU-polymerized flagellin (FLU-POL) or by the lymphokine interleukin 4 (IL-4). IL-4 + FLU-POL is somewhat more effective than either agent alone. IL-4 alone or, better, FLU-POL + IL-4 can stimulate clonal proliferation of the B cell, but FLU-POL alone does not achieve this. Moreover, IL-4 or FLU-POL + IL-4 lead to very little antibody formation. None of IL-1, IL-2 or IL-5 acting alone causes either activation or proliferation. IgM antibody formation is stimulated most strongly by FLU-POL + IL-5, somewhat less strongly by FLU-POL + IL-1 + IL-2 and rather weakly with antigen plus only one of the latter cytokines. The cloning efficiency in the single cell system, and the median clone size can be markedly enhanced by the addition of small numbers of fibroblast or other filler cells to the cultures. While filler cell-free clones do not progress to the stage of isotype switching, filler cell-supported ones can do so in up to 30% of cases. The only cloned lymphokine which has so far been found to promote such switching is IL-4, and the fact that it is at least as powerful as a T-cell supernatant may mean that it is the only agent active in this particular system. However, the detailed pattern of secreted isotypes is different from that seen when MHC-restricted, carrier-specific T cells act on hapten-specific B cells. Hapten-specific B cells from animals rendered neonatally tolerant to FLU-HGG exhibit anergy in the single cell system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Clonal analysis of the anti-DNA repertoire of murine B lymphocytes

The present studies characterize at the clonal level the repertoire of lipopolysaccharide-responsive murine B lymphocytes committed to the production of antibodies reactive with denatured DNA. This repertoire is vast in normal mice as 1-5% of total mitogen-induced antibody-forming cell clones secreted denatured DNA-reactive antibodies when the splenocyte donors were CBA (Ighj), BALB/c (Igha), C57BL/6 (Ighb), CBA nu/nu, and C57BL/6 nu/nu athymic mice. The autoimmune NZB (Ighe) strain did not display elevated proportions of anti-denatured DNA antibody-forming cell precursors. Cross-reactions shown by CBA anti-denatured DNA antibodies suggest that many antibodies might derive significant binding energy from interaction with the bases or similar hydrophobic moieties. Cross-reactions with other tested polynucleotides were frequent, but cross-reactions with phospholipids and phosphocholine were undetectable. Most anti-DNA antibodies bound preferentially or exclusively to single-stranded denatured DNA as compared to double-stranded native DNA. The frequency of anti-denatured DNA antibody-forming cell precursors among CBA peritoneal cells was not elevated. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter-selected Ly-1-positive NZB splenic B cells were not enriched, and Ly-1 negative B cells were not depleted of anti-DNA antibody-forming cell precursors. These results show that antibody-forming cell precursors specific for denatured DNA are not restricted to the Ly-1 positive B-cell subset.

Single cell studies on the role of B-cell stimulatory factor 1 in B-cell activation

The role of the T-cell-derived lymphokine B-cell stimulatory factor 1 (BSF-1) in the early activation, proliferation, and antibody-forming cell (AFC) clone formation of single fluorescein-specific B lymphocytes isolated from normal mouse spleens by hapten-gelatin adherence has been studied in vitro. BSF-1 acting alone induced early B-cell activation, as assessed by a significant increase in cell diameter of single B cells cultured for 24 hr. A small but significant number of these B cells formed proliferating clones, some of which secreted antibody. When acting with the specific antigen fluorescein-polymerized flagellin, BSF-1 augmented early cell enlargement and markedly enhanced proliferation, but it did not increase the frequency of AFC clones stimulated by fluorescein-polymerized flagellin alone. The further addition of recombinant murine interleukin 1 (IL-1) marginally enhanced proliferation caused by antigen plus BSF-1. No synergy was observed between BSF-1 and IL-1 for antibody formation. In the presence of fibroblast filler cells, BSF-1 substantially inhibited AFC clone development achieved by antigen plus IL-1. BSF-1 was also found to be inhibitory to AFC clone development stimulated by specific antigen acting with either recombinant human interleukin 2 (IL-2) or with IL-2 plus IL-1, both in the presence or absence of filler cells. The results suggest that BSF-1 plays a complex role in the regulation of the B-cell activation pathway by enhancing early activation and antigen-specific proliferation as well as inhibiting the effects of other B-cell factors on antibody formation. BSF-1 is the only cytokine so far tested in the single B-cell system that acts with antigen to promote proliferation without concomitant antibody production.

Effects of antigens and lymphokines on early activation of single hapten-specific B lymphocytes

An assay was developed to monitor early activation of single fluorescein-specific B cells obtained from the spleens of nonimmunized adult mice by prefractionation on hapten gelatin. Early activation was assessed as a significant increase in the diameter of individual B cells after 24 hr in vitro. Significant enlargement of the single B cells was induced within 24 hr by either T-independent antigens acting alone or a crude source of B cell growth and differentiation factors (EL-BGDF-pik) acting alone. In contrast, T-dependent antigens acting alone were ineffective. When selected T-independent antigens and EL-BGDF-pik acted together, a greater number of B cells were induced to enlarge. B cell stimulatory factor 1 (BSF 1) behaved in a similar manner as EL-BGDF-pik, inducing early B cell enlargement both in the absence and more so in the presence of antigen. Both EL-BGDF-pik and BSF 1 enhanced the survival of single hapten-specific B cells during the 24-hr period. Interleukin 1 was unable to cause B cell enlargement when acting alone, although it was able to augment B cell enlargement induced by antigen. Interleukin 2 did not induce cell enlargement in either the presence or absence of antigen. Activation was demonstrated among cells of all sizes, regardless of the stimulus, although a greater response was demonstrated amongst the larger cell population. The addition of 3T3 filler cells enhanced early B cell activation and cell survival during the 24-hr period. The 24-hr B cell enlargement assay as applied to isolated single cells provides an unequivocal approach to the analysis of early B cell activation, adding a further parameter for the dissection of the precise roles of antigen and the various factors in the B cell differentiation pathway.

Effects of antigens and lymphokines on early activation of single hapten-specific B lymphocytes

An assay was developed to monitor early activation of single fluorescein-specific B cells obtained from the spleens of nonimmunized adult mice by prefractionation on hapten gelatin. Early activation was assessed as a significant increase in the diameter of individual B cells after 24 hr in vitro. Significant enlargement of the single B cells was induced within 24 hr by either T-independent antigens acting alone or a crude source of B cell growth and differentiation factors (EL-BGDF-pik) acting alone. In contrast, T-dependent antigens acting alone were ineffective. When selected T-independent antigens and EL-BGDF-pik acted together, a greater number of B cells were induced to enlarge. B cell stimulatory factor 1 (BSF 1) behaved in a similar manner as EL-BGDF-pik, inducing early B cell enlargement both in the absence and more so in the presence of antigen. Both EL-BGDF-pik and BSF 1 enhanced the survival of single hapten-specific B cells during the 24-hr period. Interleukin 1 was unable to cause B cell enlargement when acting alone, although it was able to augment B cell enlargement induced by antigen. Interleukin 2 did not induce cell enlargement in either the presence or absence of antigen. Activation was demonstrated among cells of all sizes, regardless of the stimulus, although a greater response was demonstrated amongst the larger cell population. The addition of 3T3 filler cells enhanced early B cell activation and cell survival during the 24-hr period. The 24-hr B cell enlargement assay as applied to isolated single cells provides an unequivocal approach to the analysis of early B cell activation, adding a further parameter for the dissection of the precise roles of antigen and the various factors in the B cell differentiation pathway.

Interleukin 1 can act as a B-cell growth and differentiation factor

Splenic B lymphocytes specifically reactive to the hapten fluorescein (FLU) were prepared from nonimmune adult mice by affinity fractionation on hapten-gelatin. These FLU-specific B cells were cultured as single cells or in small numbers in 10-microliter wells either in the absence of any feeder, filler, or accessory cell or in the presence of 3T3 fibroblasts acting as filler cells. A selected batch of a "T-cell-independent" antigen, FLU-Ficoll, which induces growth and differentiation only in the presence of lymphokines or cytokines acting as B-cell growth and differentiation factors (BGDF), was used as the antigenic stimulus. It was found that murine interleukin 1 prepared by recombinant DNA technology was an effective, although weak, BGDF when acting with antigen on B cells cultured either under filler cell-free conditions or in the presence of 3T3 cells. When the murine interleukin 1 was used in combination with recombinant human interleukin 2, itself a weak but effective BGDF in the system, an additive effect was observed. The results challenge the notion that interleukin 1 is exclusively or even primarily an activating cytokine. This system, in which pure factors are able to act with specific antigen on single hapten-specific B cells, will prove helpful for the further dissection of the respective roles of the various factors that can act on B cells.

An ELISA assay efficiently detects clonal antibody formation by single, hapten-specific B lymphocytes

Spleen cells from non-immunized adult mice were fractionated on thin layers of fluorescein (FLU)-gelatin to yield FLU-specific B cells. These B cells were cultured either singly or in very small numbers in 10 microliter microcultures with 0.1 microgram/ml of the T cell-independent (TI) antigen FLU-E. coli lipopolysaccharide (FLU-LPS). Cultures were either filler cell-free, or supported by the addition of 10(5) CBA/N thymus cells per well. At 4-6 days, culture supernatants were assayed for the presence of anti-FLU antibody either by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or a radioimmunoassay (RIA). With the filler cell-free cultures, B cell proliferation was scored microscopically before removal of culture supernatant. The cultured cells from each well were assayed for their capacity to form directly hemolytic FLU-specific plaques. In the filler cell-free system, the ELISA was much more sensitive than the plaque assay in identifying antibody-forming cell (AFC) clones, with over 10% of fractionated B cells yielding clones secreting detectable antibody, though with a low mean optical density (OD). This value represented over 80% of the proliferating clones. In the more efficient, filler cell-supported system, the difference between the 2 read-out methods was smaller. Here, one half of the hapten-specific B cells formed AFC clones, the highest cloning efficiency yet reported for an antigen-driven system. Comparative studies showed the RIA to be only marginally more sensitive than the ELISA, and not nearly as convenient for routine use.

The induction of immunologic tolerance in newborn mice by spleen cells differing in H-2K or H-2D, but not "I-J," genotype

Newborn mice of various strains belonging to the B10A series of recombinants received injections of spleen cells from adult donors to induce immunologic tolerance to antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Donor-host combinations were chosen so as to provide differences at H-2K or H-2D, together with various portions of the Ia region. The experiments were predicated on the hypothesis that differences at "I-J" might be required for activation of suppressor cells--thus for the induction of the tolerant state. Tolerance was assessed both by skin grafting and by enumeration of antiallogeneic cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors (CTL-P) through in vitro limiting-dilution cloning analysis. Host mice that differed from the donor strain only at H-2D, or at H-2K and H-2I-A, were rendered tolerant just as readily as those that differed at "I-J" plus H-2D or "I-J" plus H-2K and H-2I-A. The hypothesis that "I-J" differences are essential for tolerance induction was thus clearly negated.

A high-efficiency cloning system for single hapten-specific B lymphocytes that is suitable for assay of putative growth and differentiation factors

Fluorescein (FLU)-specific murine splenic B lymphocytes from nonimmunized adult mice were prepared by the hapten-gelatin fractionation technique and cultured singly or in very small numbers in 10-microliters culture wells. Growth and differentiation to antibody-secreting status were promoted by polymeric FLU-conjugated antigens with or without added T-lymphocyte-derived conditioned media or purified cytokines. In some cultures, 3T3 fibroblasts or CBA/N thymocytes provided a source of filler cells. Anti-FLU antibody formation was detected by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). With an optimal number (around 300) of 3T3 cells per well, up to 77% of the B cells could be induced to produce detectable antibody. The ELISA permitted detection of antibody formation in essentially all wells where B-cell proliferation occurred, and it was more efficient in detecting antibody-forming clones than the hemolytic plaque assay, whether filler cells were present or not. When 10 B cells rather than 1 were included per well, the ELISA, detecting absorbance in standard fashion, provided a useful method for assessment of B-cell growth- and differentiation-promoting factors (BGDF). It was found that 3T3 cells gave less background stimulation than thymus cells, permitting the detection of as little as 1/100th as much BGDF as with thymocytes, thus offering a dynamic range of up to 30 between control absorbance in the absence of factors and the optimal factor level. Use of 3T3 cells also avoids a potential lymphokine cascade. The system has confirmed that interleukin-2 acts as a BGDF, but it has failed to establish an effect of interferon-gamma on B cells. It has also shown the inactivity of a variety of hemopoietic growth factors on B lymphocytes. This system thus promises to be a useful tool in the further analysis of B-lymphocyte activation.

Human interleukin 2 can promote the growth and differentiation of single hapten-specific B cells in the presence of specific antigen

B lymphocytes specifically reactive to the hapten fluorescein (FLU) were prepared from normal adult murine spleen by the hapten-gelatin affinity procedure. They were placed in 10 microliter of microcultures singly or in small numbers in the absence of any feeder, filler, or accessory cell. The "T cell-independent" antigen FLU-conjugated polymerized flagellin (FLU-POL) or a selected batch of FLU-conjugated Ficoll were used, and these stimulated division and differentiation only in the concomitant presence of lymphokines acting as B-cell growth and differentiation factors (BGDF). It was found that human interleukin 2 (IL-2), prepared by recombinant DNA technology (r-IL-2), was an effective, albeit rather weak, BGDF in this system. When an IL-2-free source of BGDF was used with the antigenic stimulus, addition of r-IL-2 did not augment the response, nor did removal of IL-2 from the crude lymphokine mixture diminish the BGDF activity.

A reappraisal of "T-independent" antigens. II. Studies on single, hapten-specific B cells from neonatal CBA/H or CBA/N mice fail to support classification into TI-1 and TI-2 categories

Spleen cells from adult CBA/H or CBA/N mice, or from neonatal CBA/H mice, were fractionated on thin layers of fluorescein (FLU)-gelatin to yield FLU-specific B lymphocytes. A single cell, or small numbers ranging from 1 to 10, were cultured in 10-microliter microcultures together with various antigens and mitogens. The results were compared with those of bulk culture or limiting dilution cultures supported by thymus filler cells. B cell growth and differentiation-promoting conditioned media (BGDA) were added to some cultures. The CBA/N results gave no support to the commonly used classification of T cell-independent (TI) antigens into TI-1 and TI-2 categories. A typical supposed TI-1 antigen, FLU-LPS, strongly stimulated normal adult single FLU-specific B cells to proliferate and form antibody, but virtually failed to trigger CBA/N B cells of comparable antigen-binding avidity. The same was true of LPS or LPS plus dextran sulfate acting as mitogens. The allegedly TI-2 antigen FLU-Ficoll, although still triggering comparatively poor responses, was actually marginally more active than FLU-LPS. FLU-Brucella abortus (FLU-BA) + BGDA gave the best results with single CBA/N B cells, but still induced only 1.27% of cells to develop into antibody-forming clones vs 12.2% with CBA/H cells. The results obtained with single neonatal B cells also lent no support to the distinction between TI-1 and TI-2. Both "TI-1" and "TI-2" stimuli caused adequate proliferation, one "TI-2" antigen stimulating 23.2% of the cells. None of the antigens caused good antibody formation, however, probably because multivalent antigens can deliver signals impeding the differentiation of immature B cells. It is therefore suggested that the classification of TI-1 antigens into two subcategories be abandoned, at least for the time being.

A reappraisal of "T-independent" antigens. II. Studies on single, hapten-specific B cells from neonatal CBA/H or CBA/N mice fail to support classification into TI-1 and TI-2 categories

Spleen cells from adult CBA/H or CBA/N mice, or from neonatal CBA/H mice, were fractionated on thin layers of fluorescein (FLU)-gelatin to yield FLU-specific B lymphocytes. A single cell, or small numbers ranging from 1 to 10, were cultured in 10-microliter microcultures together with various antigens and mitogens. The results were compared with those of bulk culture or limiting dilution cultures supported by thymus filler cells. B cell growth and differentiation-promoting conditioned media (BGDA) were added to some cultures. The CBA/N results gave no support to the commonly used classification of T cell-independent (TI) antigens into TI-1 and TI-2 categories. A typical supposed TI-1 antigen, FLU-LPS, strongly stimulated normal adult single FLU-specific B cells to proliferate and form antibody, but virtually failed to trigger CBA/N B cells of comparable antigen-binding avidity. The same was true of LPS or LPS plus dextran sulfate acting as mitogens. The allegedly TI-2 antigen FLU-Ficoll, although still triggering comparatively poor responses, was actually marginally more active than FLU-LPS. FLU-Brucella abortus (FLU-BA) + BGDA gave the best results with single CBA/N B cells, but still induced only 1.27% of cells to develop into antibody-forming clones vs 12.2% with CBA/H cells. The results obtained with single neonatal B cells also lent no support to the distinction between TI-1 and TI-2. Both "TI-1" and "TI-2" stimuli caused adequate proliferation, one "TI-2" antigen stimulating 23.2% of the cells. None of the antigens caused good antibody formation, however, probably because multivalent antigens can deliver signals impeding the differentiation of immature B cells. It is therefore suggested that the classification of TI-1 antigens into two subcategories be abandoned, at least for the time being.

A reappraisal of "T-independent" antigens. I. Effect of lymphokines on the response of single adult hapten-specific B lymphocytes

Four supposedly T-independent antigens, fluorescein (FLU)-E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), FLU-Brucella abortus (FLU-BA), FLU-Ficoll, and FLU-polymerized flagellin (FLU-POL), were tested for their capacity to stimulate B cell proliferation and antibody formation. Single, isolated FLU-specific adult murine splenic B lymphocytes were used as the unequivocal target cell in 10-microliter cultures unsupported by accessory, feeder or filler cells. The stimulatory capacity of four supposed mitogens, LPS, dextran sulfate (DXS), BA, and Ficoll, and of one T-dependent antigen, FLU-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (FLU-KLH), was also studied. Stimuli were used over a wide range of concentrations with or without added T cell-derived, antigen-nonspecific factors promoting B cell growth and differentiation (BGDA). The results allowed triggering stimuli to be divided into four groups: 1) FLU-KLH failed to stimulate single B cells even in the presence of BGDA as did unconjugated Ficoll; 2) FLU-POL was stimulatory only when BGDA was also present, as was unconjugated BA; 3) FLU-BA was slightly stimulatory in the absence of BGDA, but much more so in the presence of BGDA, as was a low concentration of LPS; 4) FLU-LPS and FLU-Ficoll were powerfully stimulatory over a 100,000-fold range of concentrations, and at no concentration did BGDA affect their capacity. LPS or LPS + DXS at high concentrations behaved similarly. The differing behavior of the various conjugates did not correlate either with their supposed "TI-1" or "TI-2" status or with the mitogenic properties of the carrier portion of the antigen. For example, FLU-Ficoll at 0.01 microgram/ml caused 28% of FLU-specific B cells to form proliferating clones, 70% of which secreted immunoglobulin, but a 1000-fold higher concentration of Ficoll failed to stimulate single cells. It is tempting to regard stimuli in group 4 as truly T-independent. However, the intentional addition of thymus filler cells to single B cells triggered by these agents markedly raised antibody formation. Until the nature of this further "helper" effect is understood, it would be unwise to ignore the possibility that T cells or accessory cells are involved.

Single-cell studies on hapten-specific B cells: response to T-cell-dependent antigens

The effectiveness of the hapten-gelatin antigen-affinity fractionation technique for selection of hapten-specific B cells activatable by "T-cell-dependent" (TD) stimuli was assessed. Normal adult murine spleen cells were fractionated on fluorescein (Flu)-gelatin layers and the adherent cells were cultured singly or in small numbers with various sources of syngeneic keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-primed T lymphocytes. Conditions were defined under which the addition of Flu-KLH caused optimal clonal proliferation and differentiation of B cells into anti-Flu directly hemolytic plaque-forming cells (pfc). It was found that 3-5% of the Flu-specific B cells could be activated, versus 1 in 5000 unfractionated spleen cells. The mean enrichment factor for fractionation was 179, almost identical to that seen when the stimulus is "T-cell-independent" (TI), showing that the method is capable of isolating B cells responsive to antigenic stimuli requiring specific T-cell help. Efforts were made to determine whether TD B cells constituted a separate population from TI B cells by determining clone frequencies using Flu-KLH, the TI antigen Flu-polymerized flagellin (Flu-POL), or a mixture of both for stimulation. With Flu-POL alone and with the mixed stimulus 2-3 times more pfc clones were produced than with Flu-KLH, yet evidence for separate B-cell subsets was not obtained because of strong "bystander" stimulation due to the presence of the carrier-primed T cells in a confined volume of 10 microliters.

A reappraisal of "T-independent" antigens. I. Effect of lymphokines on the response of single adult hapten-specific B lymphocytes

Four supposedly T-independent antigens, fluorescein (FLU)-E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), FLU-Brucella abortus (FLU-BA), FLU-Ficoll, and FLU-polymerized flagellin (FLU-POL), were tested for their capacity to stimulate B cell proliferation and antibody formation. Single, isolated FLU-specific adult murine splenic B lymphocytes were used as the unequivocal target cell in 10-microliter cultures unsupported by accessory, feeder or filler cells. The stimulatory capacity of four supposed mitogens, LPS, dextran sulfate (DXS), BA, and Ficoll, and of one T-dependent antigen, FLU-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (FLU-KLH), was also studied. Stimuli were used over a wide range of concentrations with or without added T cell-derived, antigen-nonspecific factors promoting B cell growth and differentiation (BGDA). The results allowed triggering stimuli to be divided into four groups: 1) FLU-KLH failed to stimulate single B cells even in the presence of BGDA as did unconjugated Ficoll; 2) FLU-POL was stimulatory only when BGDA was also present, as was unconjugated BA; 3) FLU-BA was slightly stimulatory in the absence of BGDA, but much more so in the presence of BGDA, as was a low concentration of LPS; 4) FLU-LPS and FLU-Ficoll were powerfully stimulatory over a 100,000-fold range of concentrations, and at no concentration did BGDA affect their capacity. LPS or LPS + DXS at high concentrations behaved similarly. The differing behavior of the various conjugates did not correlate either with their supposed "TI-1" or "TI-2" status or with the mitogenic properties of the carrier portion of the antigen. For example, FLU-Ficoll at 0.01 microgram/ml caused 28% of FLU-specific B cells to form proliferating clones, 70% of which secreted immunoglobulin, but a 1000-fold higher concentration of Ficoll failed to stimulate single cells. It is tempting to regard stimuli in group 4 as truly T-independent. However, the intentional addition of thymus filler cells to single B cells triggered by these agents markedly raised antibody formation. Until the nature of this further "helper" effect is understood, it would be unwise to ignore the possibility that T cells or accessory cells are involved.