Antigen presentation by a B-cell line transfected with cloned immunoglobulin heavy- and light-chain genes specific for a defined hapten.

Abstract

The rearranged genes encoding immunoglobulin heavy (.mu.) and light (.kappa.) chains specific for the hapten 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (Tnp) were introduced into a B-lymphoma line that bears surface IgG with an unknown specificity and expresses surface Ia molecules. A transformant expressing surface IgM specific for Tnp was obtained. The transformant was found to present Tnp-proteins to antigen (protein)-specific T cells far more efficiently than the parental B-lymphoma line. This artificial system, utilizing recombinant DNA technology and gene transfer, provides several approaches for the study of T-cell-B-cell interactions.