title: The regulation and activation of lupus-associated B cells.
abstract: Anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) B cells are regulated in non-autoimmune mice. While some are deleted or undergo receptor editing, a population of anti-dsDNA (VH3H9/V lambda 1) B cells that emigrate into the periphery has also been identified. These cells have an altered phenotype relative to normal B cells in that they have a reduced lifespan, appear developmentally arrested, and localize primarily to the T/B-cell interface in the spleen. This phenotype may be the consequence of immature B cells encountering antigen in the absence of T-cell help. When provided with T-cell help, the anti-dsDNA B cells differentiate into antibody-forming cells. In the context of the autoimmune-prone lpr/lpr or gld/gld mutations, the VH3H9/V lambda 1 anti-dsDNA B cells populate the B-cell follicle and by 12 weeks of age produce serum autoantibodies. The early event of anti-dsDNA B-cell follicular entry, in the absence of autoantibody production, is dependent upon CD4(+) T cells. We hypothesize that control of autoantibody production in young autoimmune-prone mice may be regulated by the counterbalancing effect of T-regulatory (T(reg)) cells. Consistent with this model, we have demonstrated that T(reg) cells are able to prevent autoantibody production induced by T-cell help. Additional studies are aimed at investigating the mechanisms of this suppression as well as probing the impact of distinct forms of T-cell-dependent and -independent activation on anti-dsDNA B cells.
authors.affiliation: The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Michele L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Hondowicz
authors.forename: Gina N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Wharton
authors.forename: Brigette S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Adair
authors.forename: Michele H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Metzgar
authors.forename: Shawn T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Caton
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Erikson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008177:Lupus Vulgaris / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D004247:DNA