Induction of clonally restricted thymus-dependent antibody responses in vitro using phosphorylcholine derivatized sheep erythrocytes.

Induction of anti-phosphorylcholine responses in vitro using phosphorylcholine derivatized sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) is described. These responses are thymus dependent and restricted to expression of the TEPC 15 idiotype. Optimal B-cell concentrations in cultures were shown to be different for elicitation of direct anti-PC PFC responses than for elicitation of PFC specific for carrier (SRBC) determinants. Similarly, these responses differed in optimal immunogen concentration requirements. These differences presumably relate to the clonality of the respective responses. The methodology described provides an alternative to induction of clonally restricted thymus-dependent responses in vitro using PC derivatized soluble protein antigens. Induction of responses using PC-SRBC has the advantages of the relative case of T-cell priming to SRBC and concurrent stimulation of monoclonal anti-PC responses and easily assayed polyclonal anti-SRBC responses.