We have been using whole rabbit anti-mouse mu antibodies to study Fc-dependent inhibition of mouse B cell activation by F(ab')2 anti-mu antibodies and antigen-nonspecific helper factors (SN). We show here that this inhibition does not appear to require adherent cells, appears to occur independently of cellular interactions, is reversible, and is not maintained solely by suppressive factors. In addition, occupancy of Fc receptors by rabbit antibody-antigen complexes is not sufficient to inhibit activation by F(ab')2 anti-mu and SN. These observations, in conjunction with the observation that blocking the Fc receptor-binding capacity of rabbit anti-mu antibodies by protein A prevents inhibition, suggest that cross-linking mlg and Fcgamma receptors on B cells prevents activation. However, the F(ab')2 anti-mu and SN-activated B cells become refractory to this inhibition by 48 hr in culture.