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N K Jerne

Publications and source records attributed to N K Jerne.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1984

Idiotypic networks and other preconceived ideas.

The preceding section implies that the immune system (like the brain) reflects first ourselves, then produces a reflection of this reflection, and that subsequently it reflects the outside world: a hall of mirrors. The second mirror images (i.e., stable anti-idiotypic elements) may well be more complex than the first images (i.e., anti-self). Both give rise to distortions (e.g., mutations, gene rearrangements) permitting the recognition of nonself. The mirror images of the outside world, however, do not have permanency in the genome. Every individual must start with self. Paraphrasing Nicolas Schöffer (Schöffer 1982): those who always seek exterior pressures (e.g., microbes) to account for the evolution of the sets of V genes, would do well to turn their vision towards the interiors of themselves, and there discover the mystery, perhaps never completely revealable, of the immune system.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Major histocompatibility complex-linked immune-responsiveness is acquired by lymphocytes of low-responder mice differentiating in thymus of high-responder mice.

Female murine T cells can respond to the Y antigen of male cells by generating cytotoxic T-killer lymphocytes. Responsiveness is linked to several H-2 genes. Two types of low responders can be distinguished: the B10.A(5R) (H-2i5) strain, a low responder because it lacks Y-specific precursor T cells able to differentiate into cytotoxic T-killer cells; and the CBA/J (H-2k) strain, a low responder because it lacks Y-specific T-helper cells able to support differentiation of T-killer cell precursors. B10.A(5R) stem cells differentiating in an x-irradiated (CBA/J X C57BL/6) (H-2k X H-2b)F1 host respond to Y antigen by generating T-killer cells whereas CBA/J stem cells do not. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that diversity of T-cell receptors is generated by somatic mutation of germ-line genes encoding specificity for self-H-2. A detailed account of this hypothesis is presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1973

The immune system.

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Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1969

The requirement of more than one antigenic determinant for immunogenicity.

Rabbits primarily stimulated with a BSA (bovine serum albumin)-sulfanilic acid complex will produce a good secondary response to the sulfanilic acid hapten if the carrier used in the secondary stimulus is again BSA, and not if the secondary carrier is HGG (human gamma globulin). In the latter situation, a good secondary response is obtained, however, if the rabbits are pretreated a few weeks earlier with free HGG. We conclude that the immune stimulus involves the recognition of carrier determinants unrelated to the hapten. As the receptors for recognition of unrelated determinants are probably situated on different cells, we suggest that the immune stimulus leading to antibody formation requires the interaction of two antigen-bridged cells.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1968

Competition of 19S and 7S antigen receptors in the regulation of the primary immune response.

Prior to sheep red cells (SRC) mice were given 7S or 19S anti-SRC antibodies or mixtures of both. All 7S preparations suppressed the immune response. All 19S preparations enhanced the primary response, as measured by an up to 15-fold increase in the number of PFC per spleen. Results obtained with mixtures showed that 7S and 19S antibodies are competitive in their effect. The kinetics of the appearance of PFC in the mouse spleen after injection of SRC suggest that the depressive effect of 7S antibody simulates a reduction in SRC dose, whereas the enhancing effect of 19S antibody appears as a temporary increase in the rate at which PFC appear. Antibodies from one animal species are quite effective in another species.

Animals↗