Deficient production of anti‐red cell autoantibodies by mice with an X‐linked B lymphocyte defect

The production of anti‐self red cell antibodies has been studied in mice bearing the CBA/N X‐linked B lymphocyte defect and their phenotypically normal littermates. Defective mice produced anti‐self red blood cell (RBC) antibodies at markedly reduced levels after multiple injections of rat RBC. They also failed to show significant numbers of plaque‐forming cells against enzyme‐treated isologous RBC. These findings are discussed in terms of the nature of the CBA/N defect and the acquisition of a complete specificity repertoire.