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CD4+ T cell responses in mice lacking MHC class II molecules specifically on B cells
G S Williams1, A Oxenius, H Hengartner
1Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (CNRS/INSERM/ULP), Illkirch, C.U. de Strasbourg, France.
European Journal of Immunology
|December 8, 1998
Summary
B cells are not always required for initiating CD4+ T cell responses. Some protein antigens, like conalbumin, do require B cells, but not for surface immunoglobulin-mediated antigen presentation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- The role of B lymphocytes in initiating CD4+ T cell responses is debated.
- Previous research methods have limitations in definitively assessing B cell involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the necessity of B cells and their class II molecules in CD4+ T cell priming.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which B cells influence T cell responses.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing mutant mice lacking B cells and chimeric mice with B cells lacking MHC class II.
- Assessing CD4+ T cell priming via lymph node proliferation assays and direct ex vivo analysis of cell expansion and activation markers.
Main Results:
- Peptide and some protein antigens efficiently prime CD4+ T cells independently of B cells or B cell MHC class II expression.
- Conalbumin antigen priming required B cells, but not their class II molecules, suggesting alternative B cell-dependent pathways.
Conclusions:
- B cells are not universally required for initiating CD4+ T cell responses.
- The mechanism of B cell-mediated T cell priming, particularly for antigens like conalbumin, does not rely on B cell surface immunoglobulin-mediated antigen presentation.