Lymphocyte-expressed BILL-cadherin/cadherin-17 contributes to the development of B cells at two stages.
The gene encoding BILL-cadherin/cadherin-17, a nonclassical cadherin expressed on B lymphocytes in a stage-and-site-specific manner, was inactivated by targeted disruption of its transmembrane/cytoplasmic portion-encoding parts. BILL-cadherin deficiency caused a threefold proB cell accumulation, as well as a reduction to half of the numbers of immature B cells in bone marrow. In spleen, CD21(hi)CD23(lo) marginal zone B cells were found reduced and the structure of the marginal zone was impaired. In addition, the size and number of germinal center as well as the number of PNA(+) cells were significantly reduced in BILL-cadherin-deficient mice. In the peritoneal cavity of mutant mice IgM(+)Mac-1(+)CD5(+) B1a cell, that express high BILL-cadherin in wild-type mice, was also reduced in number. The IgG1 and IgG3 antibody response to the T-independent antigen, TNP-Ficoll, was impaired in the mutant mice. These results indicate that BILL-cadherin participates in B lymphocyte development at least at two stages, first at the transition of pro/preB-I cells to preB-II cells possibly in association with surrogate light chain in bone marrow, and later at the point of development, accumulation and reactiveness of immature B cells in spleen.
Ohnishi
Kazuo
K
Department of Immunology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan. ohnishik@nih.go.jp
Melchers
Fritz
F
Shimizu
Takeyuki
T
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000276:immunology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007107:Immune System / Q000254:growth & development*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D015820:Cadherins; C490585:Cdh17 protein, mouse