CD4-deficient T helper cells are capable of supporting somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation of germinal center B cells.
Collaborative interactions between B lymphocytes and CD4+ helper T cells are necessary for the induction of Ab responses to most protein Ag and for the generation of memory B cells in germinal centers. To study the role of the CD4 molecule in the germinal center response and in the development of B cell memory, we have investigated T helper function in the initiation and maturation of humoral immunity in CD4-deficient mice. In the absence of CD4+ T cells, immunization with thymus-dependent Ag was able to induce germinal center formation and Ig somatic hypermutation. In addition, Ag-driven affinity maturation and development of B cell memory were largely intact in CD4-deficient mice. Thus, CD4-deficient T helper cells are able to collaborate with Ag-activated B cells to elicit the germinal center reaction, switch on the mutational machinery, and deliver signals necessary for B cell memory development.
Zheng
Biao
B
Department of Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA. bzheng@bcm.tmc.edu
Ozen
Zeynep Z
ZZ
Cao
Shutong
S
Zhang
Ye
Y
Han
Shuhua
S
D000818:Animals; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000502:physiology*; D007114:Immunization; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000032:analysis; D027041:Somatic Hypermutation, Immunoglobulin; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000502:physiology*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta