A B cell population that dominates the primary response to influenza virus hemagglutinin does not participate in the memory response.

The early primary B cell response of BALB/c mice to the influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (PR8) hemagglutinin (HA) is dominated by B cells that utilize a single V kappa gene in association with one of two closely related VH genes. We have used an anti-idiotypic reagent that recognizes a light chain-associated idiotope (23-1 Id) on these antibodies to follow their presence during the anti-HA response. Quantitation of 23-1Id+ antibodies at different time points during the anti-HA response indicates that the 23-1Id+ B cell response peaks early after primary immunization and is not re-induced by secondary challenge. Furthermore, 23-1Id+ titers in serum decay rapidly between the first and second week after immunization, and the HA-specific 23-1Id+ precursor B cell population does not significantly expand in the months following immunization. These results indicate that despite their predominance during the primary response, 23-Id+ B cells abruptly disappear from the response and do not mature into memory B cells.