Temporal requirements for B cells in the establishment of CD4 T cell memory.
CD4 T cell memory generation is shaped by a number of factors, including the strength and duration of TCR signaling, as well as the priming environment, all of which can be modified by B cells. Studies using B cell-deficient mice indicate B cells play a critical role in generating effector and memory CD4 T cells; however, when and how B cells are acting to promote these responses has not yet been ascertained. In this study, we use anti-CD20 Ab depletion of B cells at different times following Listeria monocytogenes infection to show that B cells are necessary for the induction of optimal CD4 T cell memory, but not for the transition and maintenance of this population. Importantly, the prerequisite of B cells early postinfection is partially dependent on their expression of MHC class II. B cells are not only required during the priming phase, but also necessary for the initiation of robust secondary responses by memory CD4 T cells. Interestingly, the requirement during the recall response is independent of B cell Ag presentation. Overall, these studies demonstrate the temporally and functionally distinct roles for B cells in regulating CD4 T cell responses.
Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294.
Sarah B
SB
Mollo
Allan J
AJ
Zajac
Laurie E
LE
Harrington
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation; D045142:Cross-Priming; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000276:immunology; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008216:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011828:Radiation Chimera; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II