Influence of Long-Term Antigenic Stimulation Started in Young C57BL Mice on the Development of Age-Related Monoclonal Gammapathies

Abstract

Long-term antigenic stimulation by multiple antigens (DNP conjugated to human serum albumin (DNP-HSA), ovalbumin and pneumococcal polysaccharide) without adjuvant in young C57BL mice resulted in the development of homogeneous immunoglobulins (H-Ig) during aging in frequencies higher than those in the control group. Our data showed that antigen-specific B-cell clones were at least in part responsible for this increased incidence of age-related monoclonal gammapathies (MG). Using in situ adsorption performed on Wieme's agar plates and in immunoelectrophoresis, antibody activity to one of the immunizing agents (DNP-HSA) could be demonstrated within 10% of the in old mice appearing H-Ig components. This frequency was significantly different from the 0.3% of the H-Ig components of the aging control mice. The antigen-specific MG belonged most likely to the category of benign MG. These findings indicate that long-lasting antigenic stimulation contributes to the development of age-related B-cell proliferative disorders, namely of the benign MG.