title: Neural signaling in the spleen controls B-cell responses to blood-borne antigen.
abstract: Entry of blood-borne pathogens into the spleen elicits a series of changes in cellular architecture that culminates in the systemic release of protective antibodies. Despite an abundance of work that has characterized these processes, the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate cell trafficking and antibody production are still poorly understood. Here, marginal zone (MZ) B cells responding to streptococcus in the blood were observed to migrate along splenic nerves, arriving at the red pulp venous sinuses where they become antibody-secreting cells. Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve, which in turn regulates the splenic nerve, arrested B-cell migration and decreased antibody secretion. Thus, neural circuits regulate the first wave of antibody production following B-cell exposure to blood-borne antigen.
authors.affiliation: Center for Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Manhasset, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mina-Osorio
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosas-Ballina
authors.forename: Sergio I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Valdes-Ferrer
authors.forename: Yousef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Al-Abed
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Tracey
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Diamond
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000941:Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000187:drug effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology* / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism; D053668:Syndecan-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D053668:Syndecan-1; D009538:Nicotine