MUTUAL ANTAGONISM BETWEEN ANTIGEN-INDUCED AND LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-INDUCED ANTIBODY-PRODUCTION

B cells are induced to antibody production by antigens or by mitogens, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We observed a mutually antagonistic relationship between activation through the antigen-receptor (AgR) an d LPS-receptor (LPSR) in vitro. Prior exposure of B cells to AgR-ligat ing antibody prevented antibody forming cell (AFC) production induced by LPS, but not that induced by specific antigen (SRBC, TNP-Ficoll, or TNP-LPS). AFC production induced by antigen could be abrogated by con comitant exposure to LPS; the shutdown of the antigen-driven response was apparent when LPS-induced AFC were prevented by pre-exposure to an tibody against the AgR. The ability of signaling through the AgR to in hibit antibody production stimulated by LPS was seen in DBA/2 and BALB /c mouse strains, and not in the New Zealand Black (NZB) strain. The r esults suggest that mutual antagonism is distinct from other forms of immune hyporesponsiveness, and that defects in antagonism may be a fac tor in the development of autoimmune disease.