CD44 is dispensable for B lymphopoiesis.
Several studies have implicated a role for the cell surface glycoprotein CD44 in lymphocyte differentiation, adhesion to the matrix, homing, activation and apoptosis. However, the requirement of CD44 in B cell maturation remains elusive. To address this point, we analyzed the generation and activation of B lymphocytes in CD44-deficient mice. Unexpectedly, both maturation and autoreconstitution of early bone marrow B cell progenitors after sublethal irradiation as well as frequencies of splenic B cell subsets are indistinguishable in wild-type and CD44-deficient mice. Furthermore, splenic CD44-deficient B lymphocytes show a normal activation pattern after stimulation with LPS, anti-IgM/IL-4 or anti-CD40/IL-4. These results show for the first time that CD44 is clearly dispensable for development, reconstitution and activation of B lymphocytes.
Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Nikolaus Fiebiger Center, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Glückstrasse 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Harald
H
Bradl
Wolfgang
W
Schuh
Hans-Martin
HM
Jäck
D000818:Animals; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000378:metabolism; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D038041:Lymphopoiesis; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors