Inhibitory mechanism of the proliferative response of B lymphocytes: suppression of the proliferation induced by anti-mu antibody and BSF1 by immune complexes.

We studied the effect of immune complexes (IC) on the responses of polyclonally activated murine B cells. For this, normal resting B cells were stimulated with the F(ab')2 fraction of goat anti-mouse mu-chain antibody and B-cell stimulating factor 1 (BSF1) after preculturing them with IC. Next, the relative membrane potential changes and the subsequent proliferative response were analysed. IC, particularly in antibody excess, inhibited both membrane depolarization and while those in antigen excess did poorly. Neither antigen nor antibody alone was effective. Inhibition was mediated via binding of IC to FcR gamma on B cells in a dose-dependent manner. Kinetic experiments showed that at least 6 hr was necessary for inducing the suppression of B-cell responses after binding of IC. We conclude that IC bound to FcR gamma on B cells regulates B-cell responses by acting on the initial step of activation.