Spleen B cells from BALB/c are more prone to activation than spleen B cells from C57BL/6 mice during a secondary immune response to cruzipain

There is an increasing interest in the study of roles that B cells may play in regulating immune responses both in protection and in pathogenesis. However, little is known about additional immune functions of B cells independently of antibody production. In this study, we have assessed how the immun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International immunology 2007-12, Vol.19 (12), p.1395-1402
Main Authors: Pellegrini, Andrea, Guiñazú, Natalia, Aoki, Maria Pilar, Calero, Isabel Chico, Carrera-Silva, Eugenio Antonio, Girones, Nuria, Fresno, Manuel, Gea, Susana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal models
Animals
Autoimmunity
B cells
B-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology
B7-2 Antigen - immunology
CD40 Antigens - immunology
Cysteine Endopeptidases - immunology
cytokines
Cytokines - immunology
Cytokines - metabolism
Female
Germinal Center - immunology
Lymphocyte Activation
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Species Specificity
Spleen - immunology
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Summary:There is an increasing interest in the study of roles that B cells may play in regulating immune responses both in protection and in pathogenesis. However, little is known about additional immune functions of B cells independently of antibody production. In this study, we have assessed how the immunization with T-dependent antigens in different host genetic backgrounds affects several parameters of B cells during secondary immune responses. We have previously reported that BALB/c immunized with cruzipain, induced heart autoimmunity, whereas C57BL/6 mice were resistant. In a comparative study employing the same experimental model, we demonstrated that BALB/c-enriched spleen B cells presented higher ability to proliferate releasing elevated levels of IL-4. Moreover, spleen of immune BALB/c mice presented an increased number of germinal center and plasma cells as well as higher expression of B-cell activation markers (MHC class II, CD40, CD86). These findings demonstrate the influence of genetic background on B-cell activation and emphasize the importance of examining B-cell behavior in the context of the specific immunogens.
ISSN:0953-8178
1460-2377
DOI:10.1093/intimm/dxm107