Alteration of clonal profile II. Studies on the capacity of BALB/c splenic B cells to perpetuate responsiveness to phosphorylcholine and T15 idiotypic dominance

Abstract

(CBA/N × BALB/c)F₁ hybrid male mice are unable to mount anti‐phosphorylcholine (PC) plaque‐forming cell (PFC) responses because they carry the CBA/N X‐linked immune defect of B lymphocyte differentiation. Transplantation of splenic B cells from BALB/c mice restores responsiveness to thymus‐dependent and thymus‐independent PC antigens up to 8 months after cell transfer. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrate the donor origin of PFC generated in reconstituted (CBA/N × BALB/c)F₁ mice. Although responsiveness to PC is restored permanently, a shift in idiotype expression that leads to the loss of T 15 idiotypic dominance 3 months after cell transfer can be detected. This shift originates from Ig⁻ cells because Ig⁺ splenic cells purified in a fluorescence‐activated cell sorter maintain T15 dominance. Therefore, the Ig⁺ cells have a remarkable capacity to maintain responsiveness to antigens and can perpetuate idiotypic dominance if the stem cell pool is removed.