Characterization of suppressive immunoglobulin-binding factor (IBF). I. Production of IBF by a theta-positive lymphoma (L-5178-Y).

L-5178-Y, a theta-positive, Fc receptor-bearing mouse thymoma cell line spontaneously releases immunoglobulin-binding factor (IBF) upon short-term incubation in vitro. IBF produced by L-5178-Y cells is identical in its biologic activity with IBF produced by Fc receptor positive alloantigen-activated T cells. It suppresses the in vitro plaque response of mouse spleen cells to sheep erythrocytes by interfering mainly with the late phase of the generation of antibody-forming cells. Therefore, L-5178-Y thymoma affords a homogeneous source of IBF in sufficient quantities for the study of its biochemical nature and the mechanism by which it interferes with cells participating in antibody synthesis.