The murine autologous mixed lymphocyte response: distribution of stimulator cells.

Previous studies have shown that neonatal, but not adult, murine thymic T cells proliferate when co-cultured with syngeneic, adult splenic B cells. Evidence suggests that expansion of such self-reactive T cells precedes their clonal deletion or functional inactivation (anergy). This mechanism may be of particular significance for establishing peripheral (extrathymic) tolerance. In order to assess the autostimulatory capacity of B cells present in a variety of lymphoid tissues, neonatal T cells were cultured with Peyer's patch and peritoneal cavity cells. The results indicate that B cells in these tissues readily induce T cell proliferation. Evidence suggests that the B-1 B cell subpopulation is not obligatory for this process. Self-reactive T cells were evident in the spleen of young mice, substantiating a role for B cells in maintaining peripheral tolerance. The results suggest that B cells involved in this process are distributed in a variety of lymphoid organs.