Ablation of TrkA function in the immune system causes B cell abnormalities.
The nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor TrkA is widely expressed in non-neural tissues suggesting pleiotropic functions outside the nervous system. Based on pharmacological and immuno-depletion experiments, it has been hypothesized that NGF plays an important role in the normal development and function of the immune system. However, attempts to unravel these functions by conventional gene targeting in mice have been hampered by the early postnatal lethality caused by null mutations. We have developed a novel 'reverse conditional' gene targeting strategy by which TrkA function is restored specifically in the nervous system. Mice lacking TrkA in non-neuronal tissues are viable and appear grossly normal. All major immune system cell populations are present in normal numbers and distributions. However, mutant mice have elevated serum levels of certain immunoglobulin classes and accumulate B1 cells with aging. These data, confirmed in a classical reconstitution model using embryonic fetal liver from TrkA-null mice, demonstrate that endogenous NGF modulates B cell development through TrkA in vivo. Furthermore, they demonstrate that many of the dramatic effects previously reported by pharmacological or immuno-depletion approaches do not reflect physiological developmental roles of TrkA in the immune system.
Neural Development Group, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, NCI, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA.
Vincenzo
V
Coppola
Colleen A
CA
Barrick
Eileen A
EA
Southon
Arkady
A
Celeste
Kathryn
K
Wang
Bei
B
Chen
El-Bdaoui
el-B
Haddad
Jian
J
Yin
Andre
A
Nussenzweig
Arun
A
Subramaniam
Lino
L
Tessarollo
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007107:Immune System / Q000196:embryology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA