The bulk of the peripheral B-cell pool in mice is stable and not rapidly renewed from the bone marrow.
We have reevaluated the in vivo lifespan of B lymphocytes based on incorporation of the thymidine analogue 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine into the DNA of dividing cells. To exclude potential alterations in the turnover of B-lineage cells due to the bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, we performed pulse-chase experiments comparing the appearance and disappearance of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells over long periods of time. The data consistently show that more than two-thirds of splenic B cells in adult (greater than 2 months old) mice have a lifetime of several weeks or months, whereas a more rapid turnover takes place in young (4 week old) mice. Thus, the peripheral B-cell pool is only slowly renewed after it has been initially built up early in life.
Förster
I
I
Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, Köln, Federal Republic of Germany.
Rajewsky
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D004247:DNA; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine