Antigen presentation by resting B cells. Radiosensitivity of the antigen-presentation function and two distinct pathways of T cell activation

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Exp. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.159.3.881· OSTI ID:6964158

Ashwell, J D; DeFranco, A L; Paul, W E; Schwartz, R H

In this report we have examined the ability of small resting B cells to act as antigen-presenting cells (APC) to antigen-specific MHC-restricted T cells as assessed by either T cell proliferation or T cell-dependent B cell stimulation. We found that 10 of 14 in vitro antigen-specific MHC-restricted T cell clones and lines and three of four T cell hybridomas could be induced to either proliferate or secrete IL-2 in the presence of lightly irradiated (1,000 rads) purified B cells and the appropriate foreign antigen. All T cell lines and hybridomas were stimulated to proliferate or make IL-2 by macrophage- and dendritic cell-enriched populations and all T cells tested except one hybridoma caused B cell activation when stimulated with B cells as APC. Furthermore, lightly irradiated, highly purified syngeneic B cells were as potent a source of APC for inducing B cell activation as were low density dendritic and macrophage-enriched cells. Lymph node T cells freshly taken from antigen-primed animals were also found to proliferate when cultured with purified B cells and the appropriate antigen. This APC function was easily measured when the cells were irradiated with 1,000 rads, but was greatly diminished or absent when they were irradiated with 3,300 rads. In addition, this radiosensitivity allowed us to easily distinguish B cell antigen presentation from presentation by the dendritic cell and macrophage, as the latter was resistant to 3,300 rads. Finally, one T cell clone that failed to proliferate when B cells were used as APC was able to recruit allogeneic B cells to proliferate in the presence of syngeneic B cells and the appropriate antigen. This result suggests that there are at least two distinct pathways of activation in T cells, one that leads to T cell proliferation and one that leads to the secretion of B cell recruitment factor(s).

• Research Organization: Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland
• OSTI ID: 6964158
• Journal Information: J. Exp. Med.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Exp. Med.; (United States) Vol. 159:3; ISSN JEMEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560121* -- Radiation Effects on Cells-- External Source-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
CELL PROLIFERATION
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
HYBRIDOMAS
IMMUNE REACTIONS
LEUKOCYTES
LYMPHOCYTES
MATERIALS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOSENSITIVITY
SOMATIC CELLS
STIMULATION