Anti-immunoglobulin antibodies. VI. Age-dependent isotype and auto anti-immunoglobulin variation during secondary immune response in 129 mice.

The secondary and tertiary immune responses to TNP-KLH and the autoanti-immunoglobulin response were studied in 1-, 3- and 6-month-old 129/J and 129/Sv mice. A profound inability of aging 129/Sv mice (lifespan: 9 months) to produce gamma 2a anti-TNP antibodies relative to their normal counterparts was observed. However, this markedly low response could not be related to clearance of antibody by RFs since all 129 mice studied produced significant amounts of RFs after immunization with this T-dependent antigen. Furthermore, the results of the plaque forming cell assays indicated that young (1 month old) 129/Sv mice have an accelerated immune response while older mice produce significantly low direct and indirect responses compared to the control groups. The data suggest a fundamental dysfunction of B and/or T cells in 129/Sv mice and that spontaneous production of RFs in older mice may affect the ability of B and T cells to cooperate in a secondary response.