Antibody response to a T-dependent antigen requires B cell expression of complement receptors.
Several lines of evidence indicate that antibody responses to T-dependent antigens require complement receptors expressed on either B lymphocytes or follicular dendritic cells. We have used RAG-2 deficient blastocyst complementation to create mice specifically lacking B cell complement receptors. Despite normal expression of complement receptor 1 (CR1[CD35]) and CR2 (CD21) on follicular dendritic cells, these mice have a profound defect in their capacity to mount a T-dependent antibody response. This is the first direct demonstration in vivo that B cell expression of complement receptors is required for a humoral immune response. This is the first direct demonstration in vivo that B cell expression of complement receptors is required for a humoral immune response. This suggests that CD21 and/or CD35 on B lymphocytes may be required for cellular activation, adsorptive endocytosis of antigen, recruitment to germinal centers, and/or protection from apoptosis during the humoral response to T-dependent antigens.
Croix
D A
DA
Graduate Program in Immunology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2196, USA.
Ahearn
J M
JM
Rosengard
A M
AM
Han
S
S
Kelsoe
G
G
Ma
M
M
Carroll
M C
MC
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006241:Haptens; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000276:immunology*; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D016296:Mutagenesis; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017464:Receptors, Complement 3d / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
C098951:4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenylacetyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006241:Haptens; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D011506:Proteins; C499308:Rag2 protein, mouse; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b; D017464:Receptors, Complement 3d; C064655:V(D)J recombination activating protein 2; D006433:Hemocyanins