title: Mice lacking MHC class II molecules.
abstract: We have produced mice that lack major histocompatibility complex class II antigens, permitting us to evaluate the role of these molecules in diverse aspects of T and B cell differentiation. The mutant mice show near-complete elimination of CD4+ T lymphocytes from the spleen and lymph nodes; the few remaining CD4-positive cells are preferentially localized to B cell follicles. Surprisingly, substantial numbers of CD4 single-positive cells reside in the thymus; however, these are not mature thymocytes as we currently recognize them. B lymphocytes occur in normal numbers and are capable of terminal differentiation to plasma cells. Nevertheless, several aberrations in the B cell compartment are demonstrable: a lack of germinal centers, fewer IgM+IgD+ cells in certain individuals, reduced production of serum IgG1, and complete inability to respond to T-dependent antigens. In short, the class II-negative mice have confirmed some old ideas about lymphocyte differentiation, but have provided some surprises.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire des Eucaryotes du CNRS, Unité 184 de Biologie Moléculaire de Génie Génétique de l'INSERM, Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cosgrove
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dierich
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lemeur
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benoist
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mathis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000502:physiology*; D006720:Homozygote; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains / Q000276:immunology*; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000032:analysis; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing