title: PDCA expression by B lymphocytes reveals important functional attributes.
abstract: We have demonstrated in this study the existence of a PDCA-expressing functional B cell population (PDCA+ B lymphocytes), which differentiates from activated conventional B (PDCA-IgM+) lymphocytes. Stimulation with anti-micro, LPS, CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, HSV-1, or CTLA-4 Ig activates the PDCA+ B lymphocytes, leading to cell division and induction of type I IFNs and IDO. Notably, the PDCA+ B lymphocytes are capable of Ag-specific Ab production and Ig class switching, which is corroborated by transfer experiments in B- and PDCA+ B lymphocyte-deficient microMT mice. Importantly, in lupus-prone MRL-Fas(lpr) mice, PDCA+ B lymphocytes remain the principal source of autoantibodies. The PDCA+ B lymphocytes have phenotypes with plasmacytoid dendritic cells, but are a distinct cell population in that they develop from C-kit+B220+ pro-B precursors. Thus, our data suggest that not all PDCA+ cells are dendritic cell-derived plasmacytoid dendritic cells and that a significant majority is the PDCA+ B lymphocyte population having distinct phenotype and function.
authors.affiliation: Section of Clinical Immunology, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Dass S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Vinay
authors.forename: Chang H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyung H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Byoung S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D056724:Immunity, Humoral; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers