B-Lymphoma Cells Process and Present Their Endogenous Immunoglobulin to Major Histocompatibility Complex-Restricted T Cells

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 1989-01, Vol.86 (1), p.282-286
• Main Authors: Weiss, Siegfried, Bogen, Bjarne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity; Animals; Antibodies; Antigen presenting cells; Antigens; B lymphocytes; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Line; Cell lines; Cellular immunity; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Genes, Immunoglobulin; Immunobiology; Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains - genetics; Immunoglobulin Light Chains - genetics; Immunoglobulins; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphoma; Lymphoma - immunology; Major Histocompatibility Complex; Molecules; Organs and cells involved in the immune response; Plasmacytoma - genetics; Plasmacytoma - immunology; T lymphocytes; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Transfection
• ISSN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.86.1.282

Antigen-presenting B-lymphoma cells were transfected with the gene encoding the immunoglobulin λ 2 light chain of MOPC315 cells (λ 2315). The λ 2 chain is expressed on the cell surface of the transfectants together with the endogenous heavy chain. The transfectants present an idiotope of the λ 2315 light chain to class II-restricted T-cell clones. Recognition by the T cells requires processing of the λ 2315 light chain. From these data we conclude that B-lymphoma cells constitutively process and present their immunoglobulins. Secretion and reuptake of the light chain was not necessary for the presentation. Thus, B cells bear two types of idiotypes on their membrane, a native form as surface immunoglobulin and a processed form in the context of products of the major histocompatibility complex.