In vivo suppression of perinatal multispecific B cells results in a distortion of the adult B cell repertoire

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Abstract
The isolation of multispecific B cell hybridomas with a variety of anti-idiotype (anti- Id) activities from the lymphoid organs of fetal and neonatal B ALB/c mice suggested that the development of the immune system may depend on Id interactions among autologous B cells. In vitro analysis of antibodies secreted by these hybridomas showed extensive sharing of an idiotope defined by the monoclonal antibody FD5–1. Early and timed administration of this antibody during the perinatal period results in a distortion of the phosphorylcholine (PC) and a(l±3)dextran (Dex)-specific B cell precursor compartment of the developing repertoire and is reflected by a drastic reduction of antibody responses to these antigens when challenged as adults. These observations provide strong evidence for the involvement of the early appearing multispecific B cells in Id interactions that bring about the uniform development of the normal adult B cell repertoire. Interference with these interactions at critical stages of development results in permanent deficiencies in the adult B cell repertoire.