B cell-dependent T cell development.
T and B cells are thought to develop independently. While it is widely recognized that T cells help B cells in the production of antibodies to protein antigens, less well understood is whether or how B cells contribute to T cell development and function. Defects in cell-mediated immunity in individuals with B cell deficiency and in B cell-deficient mice suggest that B cells contribute to T cell function. The question of whether T cell development is B cell dependent was revisited using two novel mouse strains: mice with monoclonal T cells (MT) and mice with monoclonal compartments of both B and T cells (MBT). It was found that T cell development and thymocyte selection is modified by the presence of B cells. These results suggest that B cells, or B cell products, contribute to thymocyte selection and T cell development.
Cascalho
M
M
Transplantation Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. cascalho.marilia@mayo.edu
Platt
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D017637:Clonal Deletion / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018448:Models, Immunological; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology