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Mice mount a normal primary antibody response on stimulation with the thymic-independent antigen trinitrophenylated lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS). Although we have previously reported the generation of functional B-memory lymphocytes to TNP-LPS, this memory response was only observed in few mouse strains. Here we have used congeneic mouse strains in an attempt to locate the genetic regions involved in the memory response. We show that genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) do not have a critical role but that genes coding for the variable region of immunoglobulin heavy chains or gene(s) closely linked to them are required for memory cell induction by TNP-LPS.

T-cell receptors (TCRs) recognize foreign antigens in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded cell surface proteins. These receptors are heterogeneous, dimeric glycoproteins composed of disulphide linked alpha- and beta-chains. We analysed the diversity of TCRs in a collection of H-2Kb-restricted, 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific (H-2Kb/TNP) cytotoxic T-cell (Tc) clones from C57BL/6 mice. Investigation of the beta-chain messenger RNAs revealed that nearly half of these independent clones expressed an identical beta-chain gene. We show here that almost all the Tc clones expressing the predominant beta-chain gene also express an identical alpha-chain gene. These results show that a strong selective pressure acted on the Tc population, resulting in a skewing of the TCR repertoire for H-2Kb/TNP and in the dominant expression of one TCR with this specificity. Possible explanations for this skewing include antigen-driven clonal expansion and network interactions.

The clonal deletion model proposed by Burnet and Lederberg and expanded by Nossal was one of the first theories concerning the nature of tolerance of self constituents. The model proposed that during the maturation of lymphocytes into immunocompetent cells, there is a sensitive differentiation stage whereby contact wth antigen results in specific inactivation of the cell. Experimental evidence indicates that neonatal or immature B lymphocytes are indeed different from adult lymphocytes in their extreme sensitivity to tolerance induction even at low antigen concentrations and with antigens that are normally immunogenic. The present study examines the mechanism of this tolerance phenomenon by determining whether or not tolerance of immature B cells is an active process and what specific interactions can induce this event. We used various putative inhibitors of tolerance induction in the splenic focus assay which examines the tolerance susceptibility of individual B cells. The results suggest that tolerance requires protein synthesis and that this process is initiated only after a minimum threshold affinity of binding occurs between antigen and cell-surface receptor with subsequent receptor interlinkage.

The expression of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes is regulated at several levels. For example, although kappa-chain production requires a DNA rearrangement that juxtaposes variable and joining segments, this rearrangement is not sufficient for kappa-chain gene expression; that is, some cell types do not permit immunoglobulin production. The mechanisms responsible for the regulation of the expression of rearranged immunoglobulin genes are poorly understood. The technique of modifying cloned genes in vitro and transferring the modified genes to cells in culture provides a tool for identifying the structural features required for gene expression. To analyse immunoglobulin genes in this manner, however, it is first necessary to use, as recipients, cells that normally permit immunoglobulin production. We report here that a cloned kappa-chain gene is expressed in immunoglobulin-producing hybridoma cells. Furthermore, the product of the transferred kappa-chain gene is capable of restoring specific antibody production to the transformed cells.

The structure of the combining site of the DNP binding IgA mouse myeloma protein MOPC 315 has been determined by a combination of high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, model building and chemical modifications. This approach yields that general dimensions of the site, its polarity and asymmetry features, the assignment of the DNP-contact residues and their three-dimensional coordinates.