Peritoneal B cells regulate the numbers of allotype-matched pre-B and B cells in bone marrow.
The mechanisms regulating growth and differentiation of B-cell precursors in adult bone marrow (BM) and/or selecting immunocompetent cells for peripheral export are poorly understood. We report here that small numbers of activated peritoneal B cells selectively suppress the numbers of small pre-B (B220+IgM-) and B (B220+IgM+) cells in BM, if transferred into syngeneic adult mice. No significant alterations are detected in other BM cell lineages or in peripheral lymphocytes of recipient mice. Both CD5+ and CD5- peritoneal B cells display this activity, but the same or higher numbers of similarly activated splenic B cells have no effect. Suppression of B-lineage cells is independent of T lymphocytes but requires that both donor and recipient are matched for immunoglobulin allotypes. These findings provide evidence for regulation of BM B-cell production by peripheral B cells, especially when located in the peritoneal cavity, and ascribe regulatory roles to the peritoneal B-cell compartment. They also could contribute to understanding the control of total B-lymphocyte numbers in the organism.
Marcos
M A
MA
Unité d'Immunobiologie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UA359, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Sundblad
A
A
Malenchère
E
E
Coutinho
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes / Q000276:immunology*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology*; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008819:Mice, Nude; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes; D007075:Immunoglobulin M