Abstract
Recent methods tor assaying helper activity and cooperative induction of B cells allow for the specific interactions of large populations of lymphocytes in culture1,2. These assays, which do not select for combining-site specificity of the responding B cells, were used to investigate the precise roles of direct cellular recognition and soluble mediators in the process by which specific T-helper cells stimulate resting B cells into clonal expansion and maturation to immunoglobulin secretion. We report here results demonstrating that helper cells perform two distinct functions in the process of B-cell activation: (1) on direct recognition of antigen (and restricting elements) on B-cell surfaces, helper cells induce, in a short time, target B-cell reactivity to soluble growth factors; (2) on functional recognition of antigen on ‘stimulator’ cells, helper cells also participate in the production of nonspecific growth factors competent to induce proliferation and maturation in those B cells that have been ‘activated’ by direct interaction. Either of these two steps alone is not sufficient to induce proliferation and maturation of resting B lymphocytes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Augustin, A. A. & Coutinho, A. J. exp. Med. 151, 587–601 (1980).
Martinez-A, C. et al. Eur. J. Immun. 10, 403–410 (1980).
Coutinho, A. & Augustin, A. A. Eur. J. Immun. 10, 535–541 (1980).
Martinez-A, C. et al. Eur. J. Immun. 10, 411–414 (1980).
Schreier, M., Andersson, J., Lernhardt, W. & Melchers, F. J. exp. Med. 151, 194–203 (1980).
Martinez-A, C., Coutinho, A. & Bernabé, R. R. Immunogenetics 10, 299–303 (1980).
Coutinho, A. & Möller, G. Scand J. Immun. 3, 133–146 (1974).
Harwell, L., Kappler, J. & Marrack, P. J. Immun. 117, 1953 (1976).
Waldman, H. & Munro, A. J. J. Immun. 27, 53 (1974).
Rajewsky, K., Schirrmacher, V., Nase, S. & Jerne, N. K. J. exp. Med. 129, 1131 (1969).
Mitchinson, N. A. Eur. J. Immun. 1, 18 (1971).
Katz, D. H., Paul, W. E. & Benacerraf, B. J. Immun. 107, 1319 (1971).
Rajewsky, K., Roelants, G. E. & Askonas, B. A. Eur. J. Immun. 2, 592–598 (1972).
Katz, D., Hamaoka, T., Dorf, M. E. & Benacerraf, B. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 70, 2524 (1973).
Sprent, J. J. exp. Med. 147, 1159 (1978).
Waldmann, H. & Phillips, J. Springer Semin. Immunopath. 3, 129–144 (1980).
Hartman, K. Q. J. exp. Med. 133, 1325–13333 (1971).
Schimpl, A. & Wecker, E. Nature 237, 15 (1972).
Dutton, R. W. et al. Prog. Immun. 1, 355 (1971).
Tees, R. & Schreier, M. H. Nature 283, 780–781 (1980).
Byrd, W., Feldman, M. & Palmer, J. Immunology 27, 331–337 (1974).
Metcalf, D. et al. J. exp. med. 142, 1534–1549 (1975).
Claésson, M. H., Layton, J. E. & Luckenback, G. Immunology 35, 397–406 (1978).
Gronowicz, E., Coutinho, A. & Melchers, F. Eur. J. Immun. 6, 558–590 (1970).
Kurnick, J. T. et al. Scand. J. Immun. 10, 563–573 (1979).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Martinez-A, C., Coutinho, A. B-cell activation by helper cells is a two-step process. Nature 290, 60–61 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/290060a0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/290060a0
- Springer Nature Limited
This article is cited by
-
Differentiation of human B lymphocyte subpopulations induced by an alloreactive helper T-cell clone
Journal of Clinical Immunology (1988)
-
Mechanisms of rhysiologic B cell responses and B cell hyperactivity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Springer Seminars in Immunopathology (1986)
-
MHC restriction of male-antigen-specific T helper cells collaborating in antibody responses
Immunogenetics (1982)