title: Antigen conjugated to anti-CD23 antibodies is rapidly transported to splenic follicles by recirculating B cells.
abstract: IgE-antigen complexes, administered intravenously to mice, induce a several 100-fold higher specific antibody response than antigen alone. Additionally, in vivo activation and proliferation of specific CD4(+) T cells is enhanced. The mechanism behind these effects is thought to be that peripheral B cells capture IgE-antigen complexes via their low-affinity receptor for IgE, CD23, and rapidly transport them to splenic B cell follicles where an immune response is initiated. Here, we demonstrate that ovalbumin, covalently coupled to anti-CD23 antibodies and administered intravenously to mice, is also transported to splenic follicles and induces an enhanced primary antibody response. These effects are absent in CD23-deficient mice. No enhanced induction of immunological memory was observed. These findings extend previous observations regarding the in vivo role of CD23 and emphasize that recirculating B cells play an important role in antigen transport to the spleen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van Mechelen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Henningsson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heyman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology*; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000941:Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin