REGULATION OF AN ANTI-POLYSACCHARIDE IMMUNE-RESPONSE IN BALB C MICE THROUGH A TIGHT T-LYMPHOCYTE AND B-LYMPHOCYTE IDIOTYPIC CONNECTION/

The isotype expression in the J558 idiotype-associated humoral immune response against alpha(1 --> 3)-dextran in BALB/c mice is controlled b y idiotype-specific T cells which silence in situ B lymphocytes primed and committed to an IgG response. This leads to a restriction of the type II thymus-independent response to the sole production of IgM anti bodies. The availability of the T cell receptor (TcR) alpha and beta s equences for such a regulatory T cell clone allows the investigation o f the degree of heterogeneity of the TcR usage of these T cells. It is found that all alpha(1 --> 3)-dextran-primed BALB/c mice use a very s imilar, possibly identical TcR. This suggests a tight, possibly geneti cally programmed, interaction between the J558 idiotype-bearing dextra n-specific B cells and their idiotype-specific regulatory T cell count erparts.