Induction of B-cell development in adult mice reveals the ability of bone marrow to produce B-1a cells.
To study B-cell development from bone marrow (BM), we generated recombination-activating gene 1 (Rag1)-targeted mice lacking mature lymphocytes. B-cell development can be induced in such mice by B cell-specific restoration of a functional Rag1 transcription unit. Follicular and marginal zone B cells populated the spleen when Rag1 expression was permitted. Notably, the peritoneal cavity was dominated by bona fide B-1a cells, as judged by surface markers and functional properties. These BM-derived B-1a cells exhibited a polyclonal VDJ repertoire with substantial N nucleotide insertions. Nevertheless, physiologic frequencies of phosphatidylcholine-specific B cells were detected. Importantly, the BM of young and 5-month-old mice was indistinguishable with regard to the potential to generate B-1a cells.
Düber
Sandra
S
Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany. Sandra.Dueber@helmholtzhzi.de
Hafner
Martin
M
Krey
Martina
M
Lienenklaus
Stefan
S
Roy
Bishnudeo
B
Hobeika
Elias
E
Reth
Michael
M
Buch
Thorsten
T
Waisman
Ari
A
Kretschmer
Karsten
K
Weiss
Siegfried
S
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016654:Genes, RAG-1; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism