Failure of B lymphocytes in human blood to regenerate surface immunoglobulin after its removal by antibody.

In culture, human blood B cells regenerated surface IgM and IgD after their removal by a brief treatment with pronase. In contrast, surface Ig was poorly reexpressed after interaction with specific antibody. Both classes of surface Ig were suppressed after treatment with antibody specific for only one. B lymphocytes from spleen and tonsils regenerated surface Ig after treatment with either pronase or anti-Ig. We suggest that the particular sensitivity of circulating B cells to anti-Ig-surface Ig interaction may be reflection of their state of maturation.