Marginal zone B cells exhibit unique activation, proliferative and immunoglobulin secretory responses

Eur J Immunol. 1997 Sep;27(9):2366-74. doi: 10.1002/eji.1830270935.

Abstract

Mouse splenic B cells can be separated based on their distinctive expression of cell surface antigens. Marginal zone (MZ) B cells are CD38high CD21high CD23low/-, while follicular (FO) B cells are CD21int CD23int and newly formed (NF) B cells are CD21dim/- CD23-. Exploiting these phenotypic distinctions, we isolated the three B cell subsets and assessed their other phenotypic differences and functional capabilities in vitro. FO B cells proliferate more than the other B cell subsets in response to either IgM or CD38 cross-linking. MZ B cells proliferate better than FO B cells when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), sub-optimal levels of LPS and CD38 cross-linking or CD40 ligation. When NF, FO and MZ B cells were stimulated with either LPS or LPS and interleukin-4, MZ B cells secreted more IgM and IgG3 than the other two subsets. Similarly, calcium fluxes measured within MZ B cells are larger in amplitude and more sustained after B cell receptor cross-linking than those found in the other two subsets. Collectively, these results indicate that CD38high CD21high CD23low/- MZ B cells are specially suited to play a unique role in response to antigens delivered to the MZ area.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Immunoglobulin
  • Immunoglobulins / metabolism*
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Spleen / cytology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Calcium