Idiotope regulation by isotype switch variants of two monoclonal antiidiotope antibodies.

Previous work has shown that the injection of antiidiotope antibodies specific for idiotopes of the germline-encoded anti-(4-hydroxy-3-nitro-phenyl) acetyl (NP) antibody B1-8 enhanced or suppressed the expression of B1-8 idiotopes in subsequent humoral anti-NP responses, depending on the dose and perhaps also the isotype of the injected antibody. To formally answer the question of whether the isotype of an antiidiotope determines its effector function in this type of idiotypic control, we have performed regulatory experiments with isotype switch variants selected from two hybridomas secreting anti-B1-8 idiotopes of CBA (Ighj) and C57BL/6 (Ighb) origin. The antibodies of each variant family differ from each other only in the constant region of the heavy chain. The results show that, irrespective of whether an antiidiotope antibody belongs to the IgG1, IgG2b, IgG2a, or IgE class, a 10-ng dose enhances idiotope expression whereas a dose of 10 micrograms exerts a suppressive effect. It emerges from the present and parallel data that the expression of antibody V regions resembling idiotypically that of antibody B1-8 can be enhanced and suppressed by any of four antiidiotope antibodies that recognize distinct idiotopes on those V regions. This suggests that the initial step in the regulatory process induced by an antiidiotope is its binding to antibody V regions carrying the target idiotope. The antiidiotopes preferentially regulate the expression of antibodies that coexpress with the target idiotope other B1-8 idiotopes, despite the fact that some B1-8 idiotopes are also expressed independently of each other in anti-NP responses of idiotypically unmanipulated mice. This finding may reflect high affinity binding of the antiidiotopes to the target against which they were originally raised (i.e., antibody B1-8) or, more likely, a preferential recognition of B1-8-like V regions by regulatory T cells.

A major anti-myoglobin idiotype. Influence of H-2-linked Ir genes on idiotype expression.

A rabbit antiidiotypic antiserum raised against an A.SW IgG1K monoclonal anti-sperm whale myoglobin (Mb) antibody, HAL19, and extensively absorbed with normal mouse immunoglobulin and MOPC 21 (IgG1K), was found to detect a common or major anti-Mb idiotype expressed by some but not all anti-Mb monoclonal antibodies, regardless of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass, and by 40-50% of the anti-Mb antibodies in immune serum from five high responder strains of mice representing five different Igh allotypes. It did not inhibit antibodies to three unrelated protein antigens. The fraction of antibodies expressing this idiotype, denoted IdHAL19, was regulated by H-2-linked genes that correlated exactly in four independent haplotypes and an F1 with the known Mb immune response (Ir) genes and may be identical to these. Whereas less than 50% of antibodies from high responder mice were inhibitable by anti-IdHAL19, greater than 80% of antibodies from low responder mice, tested at comparable final antibody concentration, were inhibitable. This result was true for both low responder haplotypes, H-2b (B10) and H-2k (B10.BR). The idiotype was found to be present on antibodies that bound to native Mb but not fragments 1-55 or 132-153 of Mb or a denatured form, S-methyl Mb. This specificity for native Mb paralleled that of the monoclonal idiotype HAL19 itself. Therefore, the production of antibodies specific for native in contrast to denatured Mb was studied in H-2-congenic high and low responder strains. Strikingly, low responders produced antibodies that reacted almost exclusively with the native conformation, whereas a larger proportion of antibodies from high responder mice also reacted with the denatured form, S-methyl Mb. Bypassing of the Ir gene defect by immunization with Mb attached to a carrier, F gamma G, resulted in low responder antisera resembling higher responder sera in both idiotype expression and conformational specificity. The simplest explanation of these results is that H-2-linked Ir genes control antibody fine specificity, which is reflected in the idiotypes of the variable regions expressed. We suggest that low responder mice produce a more limited repertoire of antibodies consisting primarily of IdHAL19-positive antibodies specific for the native conformation of Mb. High responder mice produce a greater diversity of antibodies to Mb, so that the IdHAL19-positive, conformation-specific population represents a smaller proportion of the total. Similarly, the use of carrier-specific helper T cells in low responder mice results in a greater diversity of antibodies, which dilutes out the IdHAL19 subset.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Isotype-specific immunoregulation. Evidence for a distinct subset of T contrasuppressor cells for IgA responses in murine Peyer's patches.

The ability of murine Peyer's patch (PP) T contrasuppressor cells (Tcs) to reverse oral tolerance to the T cell-dependent (TD) antigen SRBC was studied both in vivo and in vitro. C3H/HeJ mice given SRBC orally for 4 wk are not rendered tolerant to this antigen and were used as a source of PP Tcs cells for adoptive transfer to identically treated, orally tolerized C3H/HeN mice. Transfer of 10(4) or 5 X 10(4) V. villosa-adherent PP T cells resulted in splenic IgM, IgG, and mainly IgA responses in C3H/HeN mice challenged systemically with SRBC. The T cell responsible was Lyt-1+, 2-, L3T4-, I-JK+ and V. villosa lectin-adherent, all characteristics of mature effector Tcs cells. This C3H/HeJ PP Tcs cell subset was also effective when added to in vitro cultures of tolerized spleen cells derived from SRBC-fed, C3H/HeN mice. Interestingly, C3H/HeJ PP Tcs cells restored mainly IgA responses when transferred in vivo or when added to suppressed C3H/HeN splenic cultures. Comparison of the functional activity of Tcs cells derived from spleen or PP of orally immunized C3H/HeJ mice revealed that splenic Tcs cells supported responses of all 3 isotypes; however, PP Tcs cells yielded three-fourfold higher IgA responses, when compared with IgM or IgG anti-SRBC responses. Adherence of C3H/HeJ PP Tcs to an Fc alpha R+ T cell line derived from IgA-specific Th cells resulted in a nonadherent cell fraction that potentiated only IgM and IgG responses, while bound Tcs cells preferentially supported IgA responses. These results suggest that murine PP contain IgA-specific Tcs cells that allow IgA response induction in the presence of Ts cells that mediate oral tolerance.

Immune complexes can trigger specific, T cell-dependent, autoanti-IgG antibody production in mice.

Immunization of mice with a combination of passively administered syngeneic IgG (anti-p-azophenylarsonate [anti-Ars]) antibody and a soluble, multivalent form of the antibody's corresponding antigen (Limulus polyphemus hemocyanin conjugated with Ars [Lph-Ars]) resulted in specific autoanti-IgG Fc (rheumatoid factor) production. The response was rapid and only anti-IgG of the IgM isotype is found. Because immunization with either the IgG antibody or the antigen alone did not result in rheumatoid antibody production, immune complexes appear to be the active form of the immunogens. Antibody/antigen ratios that resulted in maximal anti-IgG antibody responses were the same as those required for peak in vitro immunoprecipitation, i.e., equivalence. Previous exposure of the mice to the exogenously supplied antigen was not required for the response. The response to immune complexes is specific because mice immunized with IgG2a-containing complexes produced autoanti-IgG2a, while mice immunized with IgG1-containing complexes produced anti-IgG1 with little reactivity to other IgG isotypes. IgG2a blocked in its complement-fixing capacity was more effective in eliciting the anti-IgG2a response than native IgG2a, suggesting a possible role for the complement system in modulating the anti-IgG2a response. Induction of rheumatoid factor production by immune complexes could be induced in xid mice but not in nu/nu mice, indicating T lymphocyte dependence of the response. In contrast, the B lymphocyte activator lipopolysaccharide was able to elicit vigorous rheumatoid factor production in both nu/nu and normal mice, demonstrating that nu/nu mice contain B cells capable of making the response. Rheumatoid antibody produced in the immune complex- or LPS-induced responses is Fc specific and has relatively low affinity for IgG that is not bound to antigen.

Importance of immunoglobulin isotype in human antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity directed by murine monoclonal antibodies.

Using the fluorescence activated cell sorter to select rare IgG2a- and IgG2b-producing variants, we developed switch variant families of hybridomas from IgG1-producing hybridomas, ME1 and MA2.1. The IgG2a and IgG2b antibodies produced by such switch variants have the same binding activities for HLA as the IgG1 antibodies produced by the parent hybridomas. Using these antibodies, we directly compared the IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b murine Ig isotypes for their capacities to direct human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against a B lymphoblastoid cell line. We demonstrate that, for antibodies of identical binding affinity and specificity, the murine IgG2a isotype is the most effective in directing ADCC by human effector cells. The murine IgG2b directs intermediate levels of ADCC activity while IgG1 is inactive. We identified the effector cells in human PBL that mediate IgG2a or IgG2b ADCC as nonadherent killer (K) cells. These cells express the C3bi receptor and have cytolytic activity which is specifically blocked by a monoclonal antibody (anti-Leu-11a) that binds the Fc receptor (FcR) of such cells. Finally, FcR-bearing K cells bind to target cell-bound, rather than free, IgG2a or IgG2b molecules.

IgE class-restricted tolerance induced by neonatal administration of soluble or cell-bound IgE. Cellular mechanisms.

Certain aspects of the phenomenon of IgE class-restricted tolerance induced in mice by neonatal treatment with monoclonal IgE, either in soluble form or coupled to syngeneic spleen cells, were examined. The present studies document that this tolerance results from exposure to IgE molecules, irrespective of their antigen specificity, and the resulting effects are polyclonal in nature since IgE responses directed against antigenic determinants unrelated to the tolerance-inducing IgE molecules are affected. Moreover, such findings indicate that the molecular subregion(s) responsible for inducing IgE class-restricted tolerance resides in the epsilon heavy chain constant region domain(s) of IgE. When soluble IgE is employed, tolerance induction results from neonatal treatment with doses as low as 2.5 micrograms per injection per mouse; cell-bound IgE is considerably more potent, in terms of total dose required, since tolerance results from treatment with as few as 1 X 10(6) cells per injection (per mouse), equivalent to an absolute quantity of 0.2 ng of IgE per injection. This long-term class-specific tolerance appears to be a unique feature of the IgE antibody system, since treatment of mice with monoclonal antibodies of the IgA, IgG1, or IgG2b isotypes, either in soluble or cell-bound form, does not perturb antibody responses of their corresponding isotypes or in the IgE class. By analyzing the lymphoid cells of IgE-tolerant mice after they reached adulthood, the following observations were made: (a) lymphoid cells from such tolerant mice fail to develop FcR epsilon + cells upon in vitro stimulation with IgE, as is characteristically observed with lymphoid cells from nontolerant mice; and (b) mice rendered tolerant by neonatal treatment with soluble IgE possess IgE class-restricted suppressor T cells, demonstrable in adoptive transfer experiments, whereas no such suppressor cells are evident in mice in which cell-bound IgE was used for neonatal treatment. The latter observations could mean that two different mechanisms underlie the IgE class-restricted tolerance, or both mechanisms operate coordinately to varying degrees depending upon which regimen is used for tolerance induction, as discussed herein.

Syngeneic monoclonal antiidiotype can induce cellular immunity to reovirus.

A syngeneic monoclonal antiidiotypic antibody was generated in BALB/c mice after repeated immunization with a BALB/c monoclonal anti-reovirus hemagglutinin (HA) antibody. The resultant syngeneic monoclonal antiidiotypic antibody, in the absence of adjuvant, was found to be capable of priming both BALB/c (H-2d, Igh-1a) and C3H/Hej (H-2k, Igh-1j) mice for Lyt-1+- and Lyt-2+-dependent responses against the mammalian reovirus. By the use of intertypic reassortants and variant virus analysis, the specificity of the response was finely mapped to the neutralization domain of the viral hemagglutinin (HA). Using purified monoclonal antiidiotype, we were able to compare the potency of antiidiotype to virus in terms of induction of immunity. 8 X 10(8) protein molecules were able to prime for cellular responses to reovirus. These studies indicate that in the reovirus system, T cells and B cells share idiotypic configurations, and that antiidiotypic antibodies of the type described herein may be useful in the development of vaccines against certain viral infections.

Cytolytic interactions between murine macrophages, tumor cells, and monoclonal antibodies: characterization of lytic conditions and requirements for effector activation.

Because of recent successes in inducing the effective rejection of neoplasms in vivo by administration of monoclonal antibodies (MAb), we analyzed lytic interactions in vitro that occur between macrophages and several combinations of tumor targets and MAb that can lead to such successful immunotherapy. Murine macrophages, interacting with MAb of the IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3 isotypes directed against SW-1116 carcinoma cells, destroyed the tumor targets efficiently over 24 to 48 hr in vitro. Lysis was dependent on both concentration of the MAb and density of the macrophages. Binding and lysis of the targets in the presence of MAb of the IgG2a isotype was dependent on intact Fc gamma 2aR on the macrophages; target binding was necessary but not sufficient for subsequent lysis. The lytic step appeared to have an oxidative basis, at least in part, as shown by inhibition of lysis with a nonspecific scavenger of H2O2 or under either anaerobic or glucose-deprived conditions. TG-elicited or pyran-elicited macrophages, which are incompletely activated for antibody independent kill of tumor cells, were effective in mediating ADCC. By contrast, macrophages fully activated for direct cytolysis by administration of BCG or Propionibacterium acnes in vivo or by MAF and LPS in vitro, had diminished capacity for ADCC. A spectrum of five other tumor cells and antibodies, four of which are also involved in successful models of immunotherapy in vivo, were also killed over 48 hr more effectively by thioglycolate-elicited than by BCG-activated macrophages. Taken together, the data indicate that macrophages can lyse tumor cells in an ADCC reaction that has application to some models of the destruction of tumors in vivo, but that the lysis is slow and requires the macrophages to be activated in a specific way(s).

A dominant idiotype in the antibody response against the influenza virus hemagglutinin. Serum and in situ analyses.

PY206 is an Id associated with a BALB/c murine mAb described as being specific for the influenza A virus hemagglutinin. However, production of this Id by BALB/c mice immunized with influenza is low. This report shows that the PY206 Id is a dominant component of the anti-influenza antibody response in C57BL/6J strain mice infected intranasally with the influenza A/Hong Kong/168/(H3N2)[R] X-31 virus. High PY206 Id expression was linked to the IgHb Ig allotype locus. PY206 Id+ antibody-forming cells were identified in situ in cryostat sections of lymphoid tissues and idiotypic heterogeneity was identified among PY206+ B cells. Uninfected adult C57BL/6J mice had PY206 Id in their serum that lacked influenza binding specificity. In situ analysis of prenatal and neonatal spleen of uninfected C57BL/6J mice showed that the expansion of PY206 Id+ B cells occurred early in development. PY206+ cells were demonstrated in the lungs of influenza-infected mice but not in normal mice, establishing the capability to study this B cell population in the lung. This model offers the opportunity to manipulate the anti-influenza A virus hemagglutinin B cell response and to study the proliferation and migration of influenza-specific B cells in their native tissue environments.

Antigen- and isotype-specific regulation of IgE responses by Lyt 1+,2,3- and Lyt 1-,2,3+ T suppressor cells.

Antigen-specific, IgE isotype-selective suppression is induced following treatment of mice with a high-molecular-weight glutaraldehyde-polymerized ovalbumin preparation (OA-POL). The results show that the suppression is mediated by Lyt 1+,2,3- cells residing in the spleen. Adoptive transfer experiments indicate that Lyt 2,3+ or Lyt 1,2,3+ cells are not required for the establishment of suppression by these Lyt 1+,2,3- suppressor T cells (Ts). Treatment of OA-POL-induced Ts cells with anti-I-Jk serum and complement does not affect their ability to suppress. In marked contrast, spleen cells from animals treated with a single course of OA-POL almost 300 days previously, were shown to contain boosterable memory suppressor T cells (Tsm) which display the Lyt 1-,2,3+ phenotype. The activity of both Ts and Tsm cells appears to result from stimulation by determinants common to native OA and OA-POL rather than by idiotypic determinants expressed on anti-OA antibodies.

Suppression of polyclonal B cell activation by IgG-binding factors. Requirement for T cells.

IgG-binding factors (IgG-BF) prepared from cell-free supernatant of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells interfere with the polyclonal activation of peripheral B cells by decreasing the numbers of IgG-containing cells and Ig plaque-forming cells. Using Nocardia opaca delipidated cell mitogen (NDCM), a T helper cell-independent polyclonal B cell activator, it was found that the suppressive effect of IgG-BF was no longer demonstrable after removal of T cells. In pokeweed mitogen-stimulated cultures, the suppression by IgG-BF required the presence of radiosensitive T cells. Selective depletion of OKT4+ or OKT8+ subsets in NDCM-stimulated cultures showed that IgG-BF required the presence of OKT4+ lymphocytes to induce suppression. It is concluded that the effect of human IgG-BF was mediated by one or several subsets of T cells.

Therapeutic potential of rat monoclonal antibodies: isotype specificity of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity with human lymphocytes.

The ability of rat monoclonal antibodies to promote antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity with human effector cells was tested by using a variety of antibodies against different human and mouse leukocyte antigens. It was found that only IgG2b antibodies were effective. This isotype has already been shown to be efficient in fixing human complement, which suggests that among rat monoclonal antibodies, the IgG2b subclass might be a good choice for attempts at serotherapy. Further studies with other antibody-mediated effector mechanisms as well as suitable clinical trials are merited.

Ig allotype-linked regulation of class and subclass composition of natural antibodies to group A streptococcal carbohydrate.

To determine the importance of genes located in or near the Ig constant regions in regulating the human antibody response, we correlated Ig allotypic markers with total Ig concentrations and natural antibody concentrations to the streptococcal group A carbohydrate (A-CHO) in 193 healthy adult blood donors. The major correlations between Ig allotypes and total Ig and specific antibody concentrations were observed with the Gm(f;n;b) haplotype. When compared with Gm(f;n;b) negative individuals, Gm(f;n;b) positives had significantly higher concentrations of total IgG2 (p less than 0.001) and IgG2 anti A-CHO (p less than 0.05), lower concentrations of total IgG1 (p less than 0.001) and IgG1 anti A-CHO (p less than 0.001), and lower concentrations of total IgM (p less than 0.001) and IgM anti A-CHO (p less than 0.05). We conclude that individuals with the Gm(f;n;b) haplotype respond preferentially with IgG2 rather than IgG1 subclass antibodies. This increased capacity to respond with IgG2 antibodies may be reflected in the magnitude of the total antibody response when the IgG2 subclass comprises a major proportion of the response, as occurs in the adult response to many polysaccharide Ag.

Fc gamma receptors on rat eosinophils: isotype-dependent cell activation.

Fc receptors for rat IgG subclasses (IgG2a, IgG2c, and IgG1) were studied on rat eosinophils by rosette formation with erythrocytes coated with monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) or anti-Ig antisera in a reverse assay. Inhibition experiments revealed that IgG2a and IgG2c bind to the same receptor (IgG2a/IgG2c Fc receptor), distinct from the receptor for IgG1. In addition to the recent demonstration of the blocking effect of IgG2c antibodies in immunity to schistosomes, the present results show that the existence of this common receptor led to the specific inhibition by IgG2c of IgG2a-mediated eosinophil peroxidase release. Kinetic experiments on Schistosoma mansoni-infected rat eosinophils indicate that the IgG2a/IgG2c Fc receptors were occupied by cytophilic antibodies of the IgG2a isotype during the early phase of infection and by IgG2c thereafter. By rosette experiments it was possible to displace both in vivo and in vitro cytophilically bound IgG2a from its receptor. These results confirm, therefore, the major role played by antibodies in the modulation of eosinophil effector function during schistosomiasis. They underline, moreover, the possible isotypic regulation of cell activation.

Isotype-specific immunoregulation; characterization and function of Fc receptors on T-T hybridomas which produce murine IgA-binding factor.

Several methods have been used in the present study to characterize Fc receptors (FcR) expressed on T-T hybridomas derived from mouse Peyer's patch T helper (Th) cell clones that preferentially support IgA responses. These T hybridomas (designated Th HA cells) produce IgA-binding factor (IBF alpha) which regulates antigen-dependent IgA responses. The ultrastructure of Th HA cells and the distribution of Fc alpha R on these cell lines were determined by colloidal gold (CG) immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). When Th HA cells were incubated with purified mouse IgA followed by CG-labeled anti-IgA, an even pattern of CG was distributed on the cell membrane. To ensure that binding occurred through Fc alpha R, Th HA cells were mixed with MOPC 315 IgA anti-DNP, followed by staining with CG-labeled TNP-human serum albumin. This resulted in an identical pattern of gold particle distribution, confirming expression of Fc alpha R on Th HA cells. No Fc mu R or Fc gamma 1R were detectable on Th HA cells by IEM. Immunocytoadherence with TNP-conjugated erythrocytes confirmed that Th HA cells were Fc alpha R+; however, no IgM or IgG rosettes were seen. When these cell lines were analyzed by flow cytometry (FACS) using IgA, IgM, or IgG1 and FITC-labeled anti-H chain-specific antibodies, 55 to 65% of cultured Th HA cells expressed Fc alpha R, and 11 to 18% expressed Fc mu R; however, no Fc gamma 1R was detectable on Th HA cells. The use of ELISA with Th HA cells as antigen confirmed the expression of Fc alpha R and the presence of less Fc mu R on these two cell lines. Solubilized membrane fractions derived from Th HA cells were tested for the presence of FcR by ELISA and for biologic function for support of IgA responses in Peyer's patch B cell cultures. Both Fc alpha R and Fc mu R were detected in fractions derived from Th HA cells. Furthermore, these fractions supported in vitro IgA anti-sheep erythrocyte responses, comparable to those obtained with Th HA cell culture supernatants containing IBF alpha. These studies show that Th HA cells express Fc alpha R with less Fc mu R, and the solubilized form of Fc alpha R exhibits IBF alpha-like activity. The significance of FcR expression by Th cell clones and cell lines and the relationship of soluble Fc alpha R and IBF alpha for IgA response regulation are discussed.

Immunoglobulin allotypes are not involved in systemic amyloidosis.

To evaluate the role of immunoglobulin (Ig) allotypes in the pathogenesis of amyloidosis, 8 Gm allotypes and the Km 1 allotype were determined in the sera of patients with amyloid AL (n = 27) and amyloid AA (n = 43). As controls we selected normal individuals (n = 204), 2 patients groups with multiple myeloma (both n = 40) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 71) and Crohn's disease (n = 47). Our results clearly show that Ig allotypes are not involved in the development of amyloidosis. Our results indicate that the Km 1 allotypic marker is associated with RA.

Allotype immunoglobulin enhances alkaline phosphatase activity: implications for the inflammatory response.

To understand the interactions among components of the immune/inflammation response, we studied the effects of immunoglobulins on the phosphatase activity of alkaline phosphatase in vitro. Bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase was incubated with substrate in the presence of allotypic and xenotypic immunoglobulin. We found that bovine but not rabbit immunoglobulin enhanced the phosphatase activity of bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase. Similarly, human but not bovine immunoglobulin G enhanced human placental alkaline phosphatase activity. By enhancing alkaline phosphatase activity, immunoglobulins bound to alkaline phosphatase may assist physiologic transport functions and enhance resolution of the inflammatory response. Further, in clinical conditions with high immunoglobulin concentrations, the serum alkaline phosphatase recorded may have spuriously high values.

Isotype-like suppression of T cell-mediated immunity in vivo. I. Delayed-type hypersensitivity specificity of T cell suppression induced by antigen-binding T cell factors that initiate contact sensitivity.

A new form of immunoregulation is described that is based on the recent suggestion that the effector phase of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses consists of a cascade of steps that are dependent on the sequential action of two types of antigen-specific Ly-1+ effector cells. According to this formulation, which is based on analysis of contact sensitivity (CS) in mice, DTH consists of at least two T cell-dependent steps that must occur in sequence. The first of these steps occurs within 2 hr of challenge and depends on DTH-initiating, antigen-binding, antigen-specific T cell factors that sensitize the tissues for an obligatory initial vasoactive step, which allows the antigen/major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted, Ly-1+ effector T cells of classic 24 to 48 hr DTH responses to enter the tissues and produce chemoattractant lymphokines. We have now found that nonspecific suppression of CS responses can be induced by i.v. injection of these antigen-binding, CS-initiating T cell factors. Injection of the antigen-binding T cell factor induces Ly-2+, I-J-, cyclophosphamide sensitive, seemingly nonspecific suppressor T cells to inhibit initiation of CS responses. These suppressor cells do not affect the late-acting lymphokine-producing T cells, but probably act by preventing production of antigen-specific factors of the type that are required to initiate DTH responses. Furthermore, injection of CS-initiating antigen-binding T cell factors also induces suppression of sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-specific DTH, but does not affect classic anti-SRBC B cell responses, which are dependent on antigen/MHC-restricted Ly-1+ helper T cells; skin allograft rejection responses are also not affected. Thus, the suppression is DTH-specific. In addition, suppression induced by antigen-binding T cell factors is Igh and not MHC/H-2 restricted. These findings and data in the companion manuscript showing that these suppressor T cells act by production of soluble suppressor factors that bind to antigen-specific T cell factors of different antigenic specificities, cause us to suggest that the antigen-binding T cell factors are T cell isotype-like. Therefore, an isotype-like suppression is induced by these factors. This isotype-like suppression affects factor-producing cells of various antigenic specificities, may be mediated by T cell isotype-binding factors that are Igh restricted and block initiation of DTH responses, but does not affect conventional, antigen/MHC-restricted T cells, which may therefore have antigen receptors of a different isotype.

In vivo isotype regulation of humoral responses to dextran B1355 in BALB/c mice. Double-class IgG3/IgM producers as a function of age.

This report shows that, in 8- to 10-month-old BALB/c mice immunized intraperitoneally with dextran B1355, approximately 75% of IgG3 anti-alpha (1----3) polyglucan (anti-dex) plaque-forming cells (PFC) detected in the spleen were identified as double-Ig class producers secreting simultaneously IgG3 and IgM antibodies with the same specificity for the dex epitope. Under the same conditions of immunization, however, IgA anti-dex PFC were mostly single-class secretors. IgA PFC developed in the spleen in highest numbers (equal to IgM), but in Peyer's patches IgA PFC were sevenfold more numerous than IgM. Furthermore, spleen IgG3 anti-dex PFC responses were low compared with spleen IgA and IgM anti-dex PFC responses and appeared only late in ontogeny. The possibility is discussed whether a TH dependence of the IgA anti-dex response and a TH-independent generation of the IgG3 response are responsible for the different pattern of isotype expression.