Antibody class switching differs among SJL, C57BL/6 and 129 mice.
Inbred mouse strains used for gene manipulation studies vary in many respects, including immune system function. These differences can interfere with data interpretation unless the mice are well backcrossed. Here, we show that antibody class switching to IgG3 in cultured splenic B cells from Swiss James Lambert (SJL) and 129/Sv mice is 2- to 6-fold less efficient compared with C57BL/6 (B6). Under optimal stimulation conditions, IgA switching is also 2- to 19-fold lower in SJL and 129/Sv B cells. Splenic B cells from SJL mice express higher levels of CD19 and CD21 compared with B6, and their CD21(high)CD23(low) B cells have little CD9 expression, suggesting atypical marginal zone (MZ) B cells. However, sort purification of splenic B cell subsets did not equalize in vitro class switching to IgG3 or IgA between SJL and B6. 129/Sv spleens have a 3-fold greater number of MZ B cells compared with B6, with similar CD9 expression. Poor IgG3 switching by 129/Sv B cells is specific to CD23(high) follicular B cells, whereas similar changes in IgA switching are seen in both CD21(high) and CD23(high) B cell subsets from 129/Sv. Therefore, the functions and phenotypes of mature B cells differ among three common strains of mice.
Kaminski
Denise A
DA
Immunology and Virology Program, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
Stavnezer
Janet
J
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015848:Interleukin-5; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D015847:Interleukin-4