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
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Adoptive Transfer
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Animals
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Chemokines / metabolism
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Dendritic Cells, Follicular / immunology
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Erythrocytes / immunology
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Genes, RAG-1
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Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
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Lymph Nodes / immunology
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Lymph Nodes / ultrastructure
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Lymphoid Tissue / immunology*
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Lymphoid Tissue / ultrastructure
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Lymphotoxin-alpha / deficiency
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Lymphotoxin-alpha / genetics
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Lymphotoxin-alpha / physiology*
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Lymphotoxin-beta
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Membrane Proteins / deficiency
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / physiology*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Mice, SCID
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Peyer's Patches / immunology
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Peyer's Patches / ultrastructure
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Sheep
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Spleen / immunology
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Spleen / ultrastructure
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Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
Substances
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Chemokines
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Immunoglobulin G
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Ltb protein, mouse
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Lymphotoxin-alpha
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Lymphotoxin-beta
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Membrane Proteins
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Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate