Cooperation between human thymus-derived and bone marrow-derived lymphocytes in the antibody response to ragweed antigen E in vitro.

Human T lymphocytes from patients with ragweed hay fever, when exposed to ragweed antigen E (AgE) in vitro, produced an activity that, in the presence of antigen, induced B cells from AgE-sensitive donors to synthesize and secrete IgE and IgG antibodies to AgE. Anti-AgE specificity was assessed both in vitro and in vivo. B lymphocytes from ragweed-sensitive individuals exposed in vitro to AgE alone failed to transform or to secrete antibody to AgE. The T cells activity had no effect on B cells of individuals not sensitive to AgE. The results of this study suggest that the human reaginic antibody response requires T and B cell cooperation. The experimental approach used may be a useful model for the investigation of the antibody responses of allergic individuals.