Polyclonal B-cell activators induce immunological response to autologous serum proteins

Abstract

The existence of autoreactive B cells directed against a variety of self-antigens has been demonstrated by several investigations. However, no definitive evidence has been obtained for the existence of self-reactive B lymphocytes capable of reacting against soluble antigens circulating in high concentrations. The aim of the present investigation was to study whether such cells could be detected after in vitro activation of B cells with polyclonal B-cell activators. It was found that mouse spleen cells cultured for 3 days in the presence of the polyclonal B-cell activator LPS were capable of releasing antibodies with specificity for autologous serum- or albumin-coated sheep red blood cells (SRBC). This phenomenon was highly specific since the addition of autologous albumin in the agar during the plaque assay inhibited the number of plaques to control levels. These autoantibodies were found to belong to the IgM class. The implications of these findings for the understanding of the mechanism of self-tolerance are discussed.