Homeostatic and functional analysis of mature B cells in lambda5-deficient mice.
The peripheral B-cell pool is in dynamic equilibrium and is controlled by a variety of factors. The rate of generation of B cells can influence both the composition and size of the peripheral B-cell compartment. Mice deficient for lambda5 gene expression have a block in early B-cell development leading to a markedly reduced number of peripheral B cells. To address the question of how this early developmental block influences the composition of the B-cell pool, we have analyzed mature B-cell subpopulations in lambda5-deficient mice. In analogy with other situations of B lymphopenia, the proportion was increased but not the absolute number of marginal-zone B cells, whereas those of follicular B cells were decreased. Immunohistology revealed that B-cell follicles were smaller in overall size and contained a prominent B-cell replete marginal zone. BrdU labelling kinetics showed slower turnover of follicular as well as of marginal-zone B cells. Functionally, lambda5(-/-) mice were able to mount not only primary but also secondary thymus-dependent as well as thymus-independent responses, albeit mostly at reduced levels.
Harfst
Eva
E
Developmental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences (DKBW), University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 28, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.
Andersson
Jan
J
Grawunder
Ulf
U
Ceredig
Rod
R
Rolink
Antonius G
AG
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002678:Chimera / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006706:Homeostasis; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout
D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains