Characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific for sequential influenza A/PR/8/34 virus variants.

A panel of monoclonal antibodies specific for a corresponding panel of sequentially selected variants of influenza A/PR/8/34 virus has been established. Although the monoclonal antibodies are paratypically distinct, idiotypic relatedness has been observed. Two cross-reactive idiotypes have been defined that are associated with the 7183 and S107 VH gene families, respectively.

Age-dependent isotype variation during secondary immune response in MRL/lpr mice producing autoanti-gamma-globulin antibodies.

A profound inability to produce IgG anti-2,4,6-trinitrophenyl (TNP) antibodies during the secondary immune response elicited by a T-dependent antigen was observed in aged MLR/lpr mice. This unresponsiveness is associated with a significantly low indirect anti-TNP plaque-forming cell response and a weak in vitro anti-TNP response upon the culture of keyhole limpet hemocyanin-primed T cells and TNP-primed B cells in the presence of TNP. The markedly low IgG anti-TNP response observed in aged MLR/lpr mice cannot be related to the presence of rheumatoid factors which are observed during the secondary response, since MRL +/+ and 129/J mice, (non-autoimmune disease strains), also produce significant amounts of anti-gamma-globulin antibodies yet mount a strong IgG anti-TNP response.

Anti-immunoglobulin antibodies. VI. Age-dependent isotype and auto anti-immunoglobulin variation during secondary immune response in 129 mice.

The secondary and tertiary immune responses to TNP-KLH and the autoanti-immunoglobulin response were studied in 1-, 3- and 6-month-old 129/J and 129/Sv mice. A profound inability of aging 129/Sv mice (lifespan: 9 months) to produce gamma 2a anti-TNP antibodies relative to their normal counterparts was observed. However, this markedly low response could not be related to clearance of antibody by RFs since all 129 mice studied produced significant amounts of RFs after immunization with this T-dependent antigen.

Anti-immunoglobulin antibodies. V. Age-dependent variation of clones stimulated by polysaccharide TI-2 antigens in 129 and MRL mice spontaneously producing anti-gamma-globulin antibodies.

The nature of the immune response to two conventional polysaccharide thymus-independent (TI) antigens was investigated in two RF-producing mouse strains, the 129/Sv and MRL/1 pr, as well as in their normal congenic counterparts, 129/J and MRL +/+ animals. An age-dependent variation of clones specific for the TI-2 antigens bacterial levan (BL) and alpha 1, 3 dextran B1355 (Dex) was observed in 129/J mice. Surprisingly, the anti-BL and anti-Dex responses observed for young (1-mo-old) 129/Sv mice far exceeded those of their age-matched controls indicating an accelerated ontogenic development of the immune response to TI-2 antigens.