Antigen-stimulated human B cell clones are committed to the production of a single class of antibody in vitro.

We have investigated the isotype(s) of antibody produced in vitro by antigen-stimulated human B cell clones. An analysis of the class(es) of antibody produced in multiple replicate cultures containing a mean of less than one precursor B cell per well was consistent with the hypothesis that individual B cell precursors produced a single class of antibody. This result was obtained by using cells isolated from either the peripheral blood or tonsils. Thus, under the culture conditions utilized, no intraclonal isotype switching was detected.