Multiple B cell stimulation by individual antigen-specific T lymphocytes
Abstract
Recently, an experimental system has been described which allows for the isolation and antigenic stimulation of individual antigen-specific helper T lymphocytes in collaboration with a nonlimiting number of primary B lymphocytes. In the studies presented in this report, this system has been employed to determine whether an individual T lymphocyte has the potential to interact with more than a single B lymphocyte, when the B cells are of different antigenic specificities. The results of these studies indicate that an individual influenza virus PR 8-specific T lymphocyte has the ability to promote antibody responses of both trinitrophenyl (TNP)- and PR8-specific B lymphocytes in response to the in vitro antigen TNP-PR8. Similar results were obtained when T cells specific for the hapten TNP were used in collaboration with TNP- and PR8-specific B cells. These results demonstrate that an individual T lymphocyte has the potential to collaborate with more than one B lymphocyte, and that these B cells may differ in their antibody receptor for antigen. These results do not rule out a role for idiotype or allotype-specific T cells in antibody responses but, rather, strongly argue that antigen-specific T cells are able to independently in...Continue Reading
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Antibody Specificity
Antibodies produced by B cells are highly specific for antigen as a result of random gene recombination and somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation. As the main effector of the humoral immune system, antibodies can neutralize foreign cells. Find the latest research on antibody specificity here.