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Updated: Oct 7, 2026

Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
Published on: September 7, 2018
Regulation of the T-independent humoral response by TACI
G U von Bülow1, J M van Deursen, R J Bram
1Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine and, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Abstract:
TACI is a TNFR homolog expressed by mature B lymphocytes that has been implicated in the positive regulation of B cell growth and antibody production, as well as in the development of autoimmune disease. Its biology is complex due to the existence of two ligands, BLyS and APRIL, and a homologous receptor, BCMA, that similarly binds both ligands. To determine its critical biological role, we generated TACI knockout mice. Surprisingly, these mice demonstrated a 2-fold increase in numbers of circulating and splenic B cells, apparently due to increased proliferation rate. Maturation of B cells and T-dependent antibody production was normal, but responses to T-independent type II antigens were almost completely abolished. It appears that TACI provides an essential costimulatory signal for the T-independent humoral response.
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