Immune unresponsiveness of spleen cells from lipopolysaccharide‐treated mice to particulate thymus‐dependent antigen I. Evidence for differentiation signal defect

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Abstract
The cellular basis of the immune unresponsiveness induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was analyzed at the B and T cell level. The immunosuppressive effect of LPS is not related to altered B cell competence. Inhibition of antibody responses was observed only for thymus‐dependent (TD) and not for thymus‐independent antigens. In the presence of T cell‐replacing factor (TRF), LPS‐sensitized B lymphocytes respond to TD antigenic stimulation and differentiate into antibody‐forming cells. Evidence is presented for a decreased helper activity of LPS‐sensitized T lymphocytes and for a defective production of TRF in concanavalin A‐stimulated spleen cells from LPS‐treated mice. The implication of a cell compartment other than T is discussed.