Evidence for B cell participation in the in vitro and in vivo maintenance of in vivo staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced T cell anergy

Abstract

The mechanisms involved in the maintenance of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)-induced T cell anergy are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that CD4+ T cell anergy induced by SEB treatment is under partial B cell control. This effect is not mediated by anti-SEB antibodies or any in vitro B cell-produced suppresser factor. At day 13 after SEB immunization, T cells from B cell-deficient mice proliferate upon in vitro stimulation with SEB. These results suggest that SEB-induced T cell anergy is reversible and that B cells have an important function in anergy maintenance in CD4+ T cells, both in vivo and in vitro.