title: The B cell compartment of two chicken lines divergently selected for antibody production: differences in structure and function.
abstract: In the present study differences in the B cell compartment of two chicken lines selected for either high (H) or low (L) antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) are investigated. In non-immunized chicks, flow cytometry revealed generally more circulating Ig+ leukocytes in the H line, while in the L line slightly more CD4+ and in week 5, more CD8+ cells were found. In the L line spleen more CD8+ were found and in the H line spleen more CD4+ cells. In week 6, half of the chicks were immunized. Both lines were similarly affected by immunization. Immunization reduced the percentages of the circulating T cell subpopulations, while Ig+ cells were enhanced, compared with non-immunized chicks. Histological determinations with specific mAbs on spleens of young, non-immunized chicks, showed large dense T cell areas in the L line, while in the H line more and larger germinal centres were found. In the H line, also, more B cells were found in the peri-ellipsoid lymphoid sheaths (PELS). No line differences in mononuclear phagocytes were found other than associated with line differences in numbers of PELS and germinal centres. After immunization with TNP-BSA, both higher numbers of TNP-specific antibody producing cells and higher levels of circulating antibody were found in the H line. Moreover, more TNP-specific plasma cells were found in non TNP-immunized H line chicks, than in the L line chicks. The H line had also higher ELISA-titers to KLH 5 days after immunization with KLH. Therefore it was concluded that selection for antibody response has affected the B cell compartment. The H line has relatively more B cells and the splenic structure of the H line differs from the L line, in the H line probably resulting in a more optimal organization for antibody response to T cell dependent antigens.
authors.affiliation: Agricultural University, Department of Animal Husbandry, Wageningen, Netherlands.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Kreukniet
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jeurissen
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Nieuwland
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gianotten
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Joling
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Parmentier
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002060:Bursa of Fabricius; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization / Q000662:veterinary; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary*; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000276:immunology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; C038601:trinitrophenyl-bovine serum albumin; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D006433:Hemocyanins; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin