T2D4, a T-cell hybrid, spontaneously secretes suppressive immunoglobulin factor(s); when incubated with purified monoclonal mouse immunoglobulins, this hybrid produces high levels of immunoglobulin-binding factors specific for the subclass of the inducing immunoglobulin. Thus, we were able to induce the production of IgGI-or IgG2-specific inhibitory factors by the same T2D4 T-cell hybrid. These subclass-specific suppressive factors bind selectively to the IgGI or IgG2 subclasses and inhibit specifically the secretion of antibodies of the corresponding subclass. Our results favor a model of negative regulation of isotype expression in which a given isotype triggers suppressor mechanism(s) specifically inhibiting its production.It has been established that B cells are not precommitted for the secretion of a given isotype (1, 2). In some experiments, 106 spleen cells from DNP-Ova-immunized animals were used, and results were similar. pfc were measured on day 5. IBF-containing samples were added at various dilutions at the initiation of culture. In some instances the suppressor effects were also tested in a cooperative response between poly(Glu,Ala,Tyr)-primed lymph node cells and DNPprimed B cells as described (6).IgGI, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgA pfc Assays. Hemolytic plaque assays were performed as described (6). IgGI
2323The publication costs ofthis article were defrayed in part by page charge payment. This article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisenent" in accordance with 18 U. S. C. §1734 solely to indicate this fact.