Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol 150, 1561-1566, Copyright © 1979 by Rockefeller University Press
Influence of the sex-linked defect in CBA/N mice on autoimmune responses to isologous erythrocytes. Ability to overcome the defect with age
YJ Rosenberg
Normal mice spontaneously develop plaque-forming cells (PFC) specific for
antigens on modified self erythrocytes (bromelain-treated mouse
erythrocytes [BrMRBC] antigens). Our study demonstrates that the sex-
linked defect that results in the inability of CBA/N mice to respond to
several T-independent antigens (TI-2 antigens) also regulates the
autoantibody response to BrMRBC antigens. Thus, in CBA/N homozygous mice
and male F1 offspring of CBA/N-mothered crosses, e.g., (CBA/N X NZB)F1
males, such PFC are absent. To examine whether specific autoreactive B
cells are present in defective mice, the latter were stimulated either
nonspecifically with the mitogen LPS or by infection with lethal malaria
(17XL Plasmodium yoelii) known to induce anti- BrMRBC PFC specifically. The
results indicate that modest antibody responses to self antigens could be
induced in young (5- to 7-wk old) defective mice and that these responses
increased as a function of age. The data is consistent with the view that
the defect in CBA/N mice does not result from an absence of functional
anti-BrMRBC B cells but rather from low frequencies of the specific
precursors, which can be triggered and expanded with age probably by
environmental stimulations.
CiteULike 
Complore 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Reddit 
Technorati What's this?
