Antigen-induced Ca²⁺ signaling and desensitization in B cells

Cross-linking of B cell surface Ig (sIg) by anti-Ig results in transmembrane signaling. However, the capacity of a thymus-dependent (TD) Ag to mediate B cell signal transduction has been less well documented. Therefore, we examined Ag-induced intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]) in B cells by using TD Ag that would be expected to either cross-link or not cross-link sIgM and/or induce the coupling of sIgM to FcR. Stimulation of mouse TA3 hybridoma B cell transfectants that express the SP6 anti-TNP specific sIgM with either TNP-OVA or anti-IgM antibodies resulted in a maximal fourfold increase in [Ca²⁺]_i. The net increase in [Ca²⁺]_i in response to TNP-OVA was dependent upon both the Ag dose and the TNP:OVA molar ratio. Because occupancy of several cell-surface receptor types leads to a loss of response to subsequent stimulation by ligand (homologous desensitization), we examined the ability of Ag to induce homologous desensitization of sIgM in these B cells. TNP₁-OVA at all concentrations tested (up to 500 μg/ml) did not lead to any change in [Ca²⁺]_i or desensitization. Cross-linking of TNP₁-OVA (10 μg/ml) with F(ab′)₂ of anti-OVA antibody induced both a rise in [Ca²⁺]_i and homologous desensitization of sIg, suggesting that cross-linking of sIgM by Ag is sufficient to induce both these processes. TNP₆-OVA at a concentration of 10 μg/ml induced changes in [Ca²⁺]_i and partially desensitized TNP-specific B cells to stimulation by anti-IgM. Interestingly, a high dose (180 μg/ml) of TNP₆-OVA stimulated minimal changes in [Ca²⁺]_i yet did not lead to desensitization. However, cross-linking of TNP₆-OVA at this high dose with F(ab′)₂ of rabbit anti-OVA elevated [Ca²⁺]_i and elicited partial desensitization. Complete desensitization of sIgM by Ag was achieved when intact (Fc-containing) anti-OVA antibody was used, suggesting that the FcR can play a role in desensitization. Ag- and antibody-mediated desensitization was not caused by steric hindrance of sIg. Thus, we have observed two forms of Ag-induced desensitization of sIgM, both of which involve sIg cross-linking and one of which is mediated by the physiologic coupling of sIg to FcR.