title: Distinct role of surface lymphotoxin expressed by B cells in the organization of secondary lymphoid tissues.
abstract: In order to definitively ascertain the functional contribution of lymphotoxin (LT) expressed by B cells, we produced mice with the LTbeta gene deleted from B cells (B-LTbeta KO mice). In contrast to systemic LTbeta deletion, in B-LTbeta KO mice only splenic microarchitecture was affected, while lymph nodes and Peyer's patches (PP) were normal, except for PP's reduced size. Even though B-LTbeta KO spleens retained a small number of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) which appeared to be dependent on LTbeta produced by T cells, IgG responses to sheep red blood cells were markedly reduced. Thus, the organogenic function of B-LTbeta is almost entirely restricted to spleen, where it supports the correct lymphoid architecture that is critical for an effective humoral immune response.
mesh_terms: D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D020566:Dendritic Cells, Follicular / Q000276:immunology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016654:Genes, RAG-1; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D053308:Lymphotoxin-beta; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016513:Mice, SCID; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012756:Sheep; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C505887:Ltb protein, mouse; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha; D053308:Lymphotoxin-beta; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate