Distinct role of surface lymphotoxin expressed by B cells in the organization of secondary lymphoid tissues

Immunity. 2002 Sep;17(3):239-50. doi: 10.1016/s1074-7613(02)00397-7.

Abstract

In order to definitively ascertain the functional contribution of lymphotoxin (LT) expressed by B cells, we produced mice with the LTbeta gene deleted from B cells (B-LTbeta KO mice). In contrast to systemic LTbeta deletion, in B-LTbeta KO mice only splenic microarchitecture was affected, while lymph nodes and Peyer's patches (PP) were normal, except for PP's reduced size. Even though B-LTbeta KO spleens retained a small number of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) which appeared to be dependent on LTbeta produced by T cells, IgG responses to sheep red blood cells were markedly reduced. Thus, the organogenic function of B-LTbeta is almost entirely restricted to spleen, where it supports the correct lymphoid architecture that is critical for an effective humoral immune response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Chemokines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells, Follicular / immunology
  • Erythrocytes / immunology
  • Genes, RAG-1
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Lymph Nodes / ultrastructure
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology*
  • Lymphoid Tissue / ultrastructure
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / deficiency
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / genetics
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha / physiology*
  • Lymphotoxin-beta
  • Membrane Proteins / deficiency
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Peyer's Patches / immunology
  • Peyer's Patches / ultrastructure
  • Sheep
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Spleen / ultrastructure
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Chemokines
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Ltb protein, mouse
  • Lymphotoxin-alpha
  • Lymphotoxin-beta
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate