Both Ly-1 B cells and conventional B cells make autoantibodies to bromelain-treated autologous erythrocytes.

Abstract

In mice a minor subpopulation of B cells has been described which has a different phenotype and function from the majority of B cells1 2and which belongs to a separate B cell lineage3. These B cells are characterized by the expression of about 5-fold more membrane IgM and 10-fold less IgD than cells of the conventional B lineage4. In addition, many of them express a surface molecule, Ly-1 (CD5), previously thought to be present only on T cells4 5. These Ly-1 B cells occur at low frequency (1–2%) in adult spleen, are not detectable in lymph nodes or blood1, but account for up to 50% of the B cells in the peritoneal cavity3.