Specific antibody production to a recall or a neoantigen by SCID mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

To explore the extent of immune reconstitution of SCID mice by human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hu-PBL-SCID mice), we studied the production of immunoglobulin isotypes and specific antibody (Ab) by the engrafted human cells. Human IgG was detectable in 94% of hu-PBL-SCID mice. IgE synthesis by hu-PBL-SCID mice correlated with the IgE levels observed in human donors. All SCID mice receiving PBL obtained from human donors previously immunized with the T-cell-dependent Ag, bacteriophage phi x 174 (phage), produced phage neutralizing antibody. Quantity and quality (Ig isotypes) of phage-specific Ab produced by hu-PBL-SCID mice correlated with that observed in the donor serum. Human B cells alone failed to engraft, and T cells were required for the production of Ig and anti-phage Ab. Phage-specific Ab production occurred without direct Ag exposure of the hu-PBL-SCID mice, suggesting that the specific Ab production was induced directly by polyclonal activation of the engrafted human cells. Intravenous phage injections given 4 wk after cell transfer failed to further increase the anti-phage Ab titer. Phage neutralizing Ab production could not be boosted if spleen cells obtained from hu-PBL-SCID mice were cultured in the presence of Ag. However, hu-PBL-SCID mice produced increased amounts of anti-phage Ab, providing they were injected with phage at the time of cell transfer. Injection of phage at the time of cell transfer, but not 4 wk later, to mice receiving PBL from nonimmunized donors induced production of minute amounts of anti-phage Ab. We conclude that human peripheral blood lymphocytes transferred into SCID mice become maximally stimulated presumably by xenogeneic murine Ag, resulting in polyclonal expansion of the graft and spontaneous production of Ab to Ag the human donor was previously exposed to, and in loss of responses to subsequent Ag exposure. Ab production to neoantigen, however, can be induced and that to recall Ag can be modified if PBL are exposed to Ag at the time of cell transfer.