Tracking the response of Xid B cells in vivo: TI-2 antigen induces migration and proliferation but Btk is essential for terminal differentiation
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Authors
Colleges, School and Institutes
Abstract
X-linked immunodeficient (Xid) mice carry a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) mutation and exhibit a selective failure to produce antibodies against bacterial capsular polysaccharides. Studies in vitro point to a fundamental survival defect of Xid B cells after receptor crosslinking by thymus-independent type-2 (TI-2) antigen because B cells undergo apoptosis without proliferating. We describe results from a novel model, which we have used to investigate the impact of the Xid mutation on migration, proliferation and differentiation of B cells after polysaccharide immunization in vivo. Immunoglobulin knock-in mice, in which a large proportion of B cells express transgene-encoded receptors specific for (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)-acetyl (NP), were crossed with CBA/N mice. The male progeny contain NP-specific Xid B cells, while the female progeny contain NP-specific B cells with normal Btk. After immunization with the TI-2 antigen NP-Ficoll, NP-specific Xid B cells migrate to the T zones and proliferate. Despite transient up-regulation of blimp-1 and survival beyond the time when terminal differentiation is normally underway, Btk-defective B cells fail to differentiate to plasmablasts or germinal center cells. CD40 ligation partially restores their ability to form plasma cells in response to TI-2 antigen.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1340-50 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | European Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 5 |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2001 |
Keywords
- CD40 Antigen, thymus-independent antigen, ficoll, antibody formation, Bruton's tyrosine kinase