Two independent pathways of helper activity provided by a single T cell clone

M. Shigeta, S. Takahara, S. J. Knox, T. Ishihara, E. S. Vitetta, C. G. Fathman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Data presented in this paper demonstrate the existence of two separate pathways by which a single T cell clone can induce B cell differentiation. With the use of high doses of antigen, a T cell clone can induce a primary antibody response in unprimed B cells. With the use of low doses of antigen, the same T cell clone can induce an immunoglobulin (Ig)G response in primed B cells. The primary response is accompanied by T cell proliferation and lymphokine production (interleukin 2, B cell growth factor, B cell differentiation factor for immunoglobulin M, and B cell differentiation factor for immunoglobulin G). The secondary response does not require proliferation and occurs independently of detectable lymphokine production. Variants of the wild type T cell helper clone have been isolated. One variant can provide help to unprimed B cells when high doses of antigen are used. This variant cannot provide help to primed B cells when low doses of antigen are used, nor can it provide help to CBA/N 'xid' B cells at any antigen concentration tested. Additional variants have been isolated that proliferate on antigen-pulsed-presenting cells, but fail to secrete detectable lymphokines and do not induce B cell differentiation. These results suggest that a single T cell helper clone has multiple functional activities that can be independently expressed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)34-38
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume136
Issue number1
StatePublished - 1986

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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