Prevention of immunoglobulin production by allotypedependent T cells

AbstractAdoptive lymphocyte transfers between Iga, Igb and Igd allotype‐congenic mouse strains revealed host barriers against the production of certain donor allotypes. First, as recipients of Igb cells, Iga and Igd mice permitted the production of donor Ig‐4b but not that of Ig‐lb. The apparent mediators of this Ig‐lb barrier were T cells specific for Ig‐lb determinants on B cells. Additional cell transfers showed Iga mice to have a second barrier against allotype production by Igd donor cells. Reciprocal cell transfers showed Igb and Igd mice to have comparatively weak barriers against Iga‐producing cells.As host barriers were absent in mice deficient for T cells (athymic nude mice), it appears that they are T cell‐mediated. Further, the allotype‐dependence of such barriers means that the antigens responsible must be under the control of allotype‐linked genes. The regulatory implications of this for the immune system are discussed.