Two stages of b cell memory development expressing differential sensitivity to stimulation with thymus-dependent and thymus-independent antigenic forms.

We have shown that spleen cells specifically primed to the decapeptide determinant (a.a. 103-112) of the thymus-dependent (TD) antigen, tobacco mosaic virus protein (TMVP), can be secondarily stimulated to antibody synthesis by either TD or TI forms of the decapeptide. Further, TD- and TI-responsive memory B cells consisted of overlapping populations which were indistinguishable by the specificity and isotype composition of the antibodies which they synthesized. In the present study, two functionally distinct but developmentally related memory B cell subsets were identified by their differential sensitivity to repeated in vivo stimulation with various combinations of TD and TI decapeptide antigens. One subset of memory B cells responded only to TMVP or decapeptide conjugated to succinylated human gamma-globulin (SHGG) with a strict requirement for carrier-primed theta-positive cells. Secondary challenge with these two TD antigens elicited antidecapeptide antibodies and specific memory regeneration. This TD-responsive memory B cell subset contained the precursors of a second memory B cell subset which was activated by decapeptide-Brucella abortus (TI.1 prototype), as well as by TMVP or decapeptide-SHGG. Stimulation of the second memory B cell subpopulation by decapeptide-BA (previously shown not to be dependent on conventional T cell help) was typified by differentiation into antibody-forming cells without significant memory regeneration.