Immune networks : frequencies of antibody and idiotype producing B cell clones in various steady states

Abstract

The network theory of the immune system can be reduced to the interactions between soluble and cell-bound idiotypes and combining sites, independently of the functional properties of the lymphocytes bearing those elements . After its original exposition, however, much attention has been drawn to the functionally opposing consequences of the activity mediated by distinct classes of lymphocytes. The "plusminus" general network interactions have thus been progressively substituted by "mini-networks" of suppressor and helper T cells, often disconnected from the overall regulatory influences maintaining steady states in a complete, and therefore circular, repertoire . It appeared important, therefore, to establish a primary, quantitative description of the immune elements in various steady states to provide the basis for a description of immune networks . This, on the other hand, would perhaps contribute to resolving the present problems of predicting pathways in network interactions and the consequences of specific manipulations . We have initiated these attempts by determining B cell precursor frequencies in quantitative assays , under conditions that limit only for the clonal precursor itself. This was done in a well-characterized system prototype of network regulation using monoclonal idiotypes and anti-idiotypes