Lymphocyte Transformation by H-Chain Specific Anti-immunoglobulin Sera

Abstract

THERE is currently a great deal of interest in binding sites (receptors) on lymphocytes with respect to their role: (a) for recognition of antigens, (b) as “trigger sites” for lymphocyte differentiation and proliferation, (c) as markers of the type and specificity of antibodies that the progeny of the cell will produce if stimulated, and (d) in regulating whether immunity or tolerance is induced by exposure to the antigen^1–3. The well defined antigenic structure of immunoglobulins makes it possible to look for the presence of immunoglobulin-type receptors using anti-immuno-globulin sera. The interaction of anti-immunoglobulin antibodies with small lymphocytes in cell culture stimulates nucleic acid synthesis and the transformation of lymphocytes to blast cells⁵. We have used this approach to investigate the phenotypic expression of H-chain controlling genes in lymphocytes. Stimulation of nucleic acid synthesis in vitro by specific anti-H-chain sera was used as a criterion for the presence of receptors with μ or γ-chain specificity on lymphocytes.