T cell-independent responses to an Ir gene-controlled antigen. I. Characteristics of the immune response to insulin complexed to Brucella abortus

J Immunol. 1982 Jul;129(1):6-10.

Abstract

Immune responses by mice to heterologous insulins are controlled by H-2-linked Ir genes. Antibody responses to insulin are T cell dependent (TD), and nonresponder mice fail to make detectable insulin-specific antibodies. To further analyze the role of T cells in regulation of immune responses to insulin, we have developed a method for induction of insulin-specific B cells in the relative absence of T cells. Insulin has been chemically coupled to the T cell-independent (TI) organism Brucella abortus (insulin-BA). Studies reported here demonstrate that in terms of kinetics of responses, isotype expression, and induction of responses in X-linked immunodeficient mice, insulin-BA behaves as a typical type-1 TI antigen. Despite these characteristic features, T cells appear to augment the response to insulin-BA. More importantly, insulin-BA stimulates IgM and IgG anti-insulin antibodies in all strains tested regardless of whether the mice were responders or nonresponders to the particular insulin tested. Thus insulin-BA should be a useful antigen for dissecting the cell interactions required for development of insulin-specific immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Antibody-Producing Cells / immunology
  • Antigens / administration & dosage
  • Antigens / genetics
  • Brucella Vaccine / immunology*
  • Epitopes / genetics
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Female
  • Genes, MHC Class II*
  • Hemolytic Plaque Technique
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / genetics
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology
  • Insulin / genetics
  • Insulin / immunology*
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Nude
  • Species Specificity
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Brucella Vaccine
  • Epitopes
  • Insulin