Individual antigen-specific T lymphocytes: helper function in enabling the expression of multiple antibody isotypes.

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Abstract
Experiments were carried out to determine if an individual antigen-specific T [thymus derived] lymphocyte has the capability to enable the production of antibodies of multiple immunoglobulin heavy chain isotypes. An experimental system is described which allows for the isolation and antigenic stimulation of individual helper [mouse] T cells in a splenic environment which provides an excess of primary B [bone marrow derived] cells or collaboration with isolated T lymphocytes. This system demonstrated that an individual antigen-specific T lymphocyte, specific for the PR8 strain of influenza virus, has the capacity to enable primary B-cell PR8-specific antibody responses of more than a single immunoglobulin isotype. The implications made by these studies regarding the problem of genetic restrictions regulating T cell-B cell interaction is discussed.