The Journal of Immunology, Vol 146, Issue 5 1553-1559, Copyright © 1991 by American Association of Immunologists

ARTICLES

A dominant idiotype in the antibody response against the influenza virus hemagglutinin. Serum and in situ analyses

AR Brown and RE Sealy
Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38101.

PY206 is an Id associated with a BALB/c murine mAb described as being specific for the influenza A virus hemagglutinin. However, production of this Id by BALB/c mice immunized with influenza is low. This report shows that the PY206 Id is a dominant component of the anti-influenza antibody response in C57BL/6J strain mice infected intranasally with the influenza A/Hong Kong/168/(H3N2)[R] X-31 virus. High PY206 Id expression was linked to the IgHb Ig allotype locus. PY206 Id+ antibody- forming cells were identified in situ in cryostat sections of lymphoid tissues and idiotypic heterogeneity was identified among PY206+ B cells. Uninfected adult C57BL/6J mice had PY206 Id in their serum that lacked influenza binding specificity. In situ analysis of prenatal and neonatal spleen of uninfected C57BL/6J mice showed that the expansion of PY206 Id+ B cells occurred early in development. PY206+ cells were demonstrated in the lungs of influenza-infected mice but not in normal mice, establishing the capability to study this B cell population in the lung. This model offers the opportunity to manipulate the anti- influenza A virus hemagglutinin B cell response and to study the proliferation and migration of influenza-specific B cells in their native tissue environments.