Antibody-coated Sheep Erythrocytes Suppress the Ability of Polyclonal B-Cell Activators to Induce Plaque-forming Cells against Sheep Erythrocytes

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Abstract
The primary immune response to untreated sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) in vitro was suppressed by addition of antibody-coated SRBC. A mixture of SRBC and antibody-coated SRBC also suppressed induction of anti-SRBC plaque-forming cells by the polyclonal B [bone marrow-derived] cell activators lipopolysaccharide, purified protein derivative of tuberculin and native dextran. Injection of a mixture of SRBC and antibody-coated SRBC into mice led to an increased response to SRBC. From the in vitro findings, the Fc part of antibodies complexed to an antigen can apparently exert a negative signal on antigen-specific B cells that cannot be overcome by positive signals delivered by polyclonal B cell activators.