Helper T cell requirements for T15 idiotype expression on phosphorylcholine‐specific antibodies

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Abstract
The requirement for idiotype‐specific T Cells was investigated in the T15 idiotype‐ dominant T cell‐dependent response of unprimed BALB/c and (BALB/c × C57BL/6)F1 B cells to phosphorylcholine (PC). It was first demonstrated that cloned keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)‐specific, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐restricted T helper (Th) cells as well as heterogeneous KLH‐primed Th populations were capable of generating PC‐specific antibody responses in T‐depleted unprimed B cell populations cultured in the presence of PC‐KLH. The PC‐binding antibody responses generated under these conditions were indistinguishable when assayed for carrier‐hapten linkage requirements, immunoglobulin isotype (predominantly IgM) or PC affinity. Further, it was observed that the PC‐binding antibodies which were generated in the presence of these two T cell populations expressed equivalently high levels of T15 idiotype. Assaying antibody and idiotype by either enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or plaque‐forming cell assay yielded similar results. Since monoclonal MHC‐restricted, KLH‐specific Th cells presumably lack any additional T cell populations, these results argue against an absolute requirement for anti‐idiotypic Th cells in the generation of T15‐dominant antibody responses.

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