Skewed B cell differentiation affects lymphoid organogenesis but not T cell‐mediated autoimmunity. (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Colombo, E.; Tentorio, P.; Musio, S.; Rajewsky, K.; Pedotti, R.; Casola, S.; Farina, C.
• Is Part Of: Clinical and experimental immunology. Volume 176:Number 1(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Immunopathology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1111/cei.12250
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-9104

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>B cell receptor (BCR) signalling determines B cell differentiation and may potentially alter T cell‐mediated immune responses. In this study we used two transgenic strains of BCR‐deficient mice expressing Epstein–Barr virus latent membrane protein (LMP)2A in B cells, where either follicular and marginal zone differentiation (D<sub>H</sub>LMP2A mice) or B‐1 cell development (V<sub>H</sub>LMP2A mice) were supported, and evaluated the effects of skewed B lymphocyte differentiation on lymphoid organogenesis and T cell responses <italic>in vivo</italic>.</p> <p>Compared to wild‐type animals, both transgenic strains displayed alterations in the composition of lymphoid organs and in the dynamics of distinct immune cell subsets following immunization with the self‐antigen PLP<sub>185–206</sub>. However, <italic>ex‐vivo</italic> T cell proliferation to PLP<sub>185–206</sub> peptide measured in immunized D<sub>H</sub>LMP2A and V<sub>H</sub>LMP2A mice was similar to that detected in immunized control mice. Further, clinical expression of experimental autoimmune encephalitis in both LMP2A strains was identical to that of wild‐type mice.</p> <p>In conclusion, mice with skewed B cell differentiation driven by LMP2A expression in BCR‐negative B cells do not show changes in the development of a T cell mediated disease model of autoimmunity, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms support the generation of T cell responses.</p> </abstract>