Immunocompetence of chimeric rabbits. I. Participation of donor-derived B lymphocytes in immunoglobulin, but not in antibody, synthesis.

Stable and lasting B lymphocyte chimerism induced in newborn rabbits through the introduction of spleen or lymph node cells from adult donors matched with the recipients for major histocompatibility antigens, is characterized by an apparent immunodeficiency of donor-derived cells. However, priming of the donor with an antigen that is subsequently used to immunize the recipients results in the selective and effective participation of donor cells in the chimera's antibody response to this antigen. These findings are ascribed to limitations in the repertoire of cells from the unprimed donor that colonize the recipients. Polyclonal stimulation secondary to allogeneic effects has been suggested as an explanation for the participation of donor-derived B cells noted in occasional recipients of cells from unprimed donors matched with recipients with respect to major but not minor histocompatibility antigens, and seen more regularly in surviving recipients of unmatched or mismatched donor cells.