Abstract
It is generally accepted in immunology that while T and B cells collaborate for the production of antibodies in response to protein antigens, T cells develop and function in the absence of B cells. However, B cell-deficient subjects and mice have unexplained cellular immune defects. Here, we examined the contribution of B cells/Ig to the generation of diversity and function of T cells. Mice lacking B cells and Ig (JH-/-) or having oligoclonal B cells (QM) had a profoundly contracted T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ repertoire: 0.08 and 1.3% of wild type, respectively. Rejection of H-Y-incompatible skin grafts in QM and JH-/- mice was significantly delayed (median, 43 and 22 days, respectively) compared to wild-type mice (median, 16 days). Furthermore, reduction of the TCR Vβ diversity by thymectomy in wild-type mice significantly increased survival of H-Y-incompatible skin grafts, and reconstitution of the T cell diversity in QM mice with Ig Fab fragments significantly decreased survival of the skin grafts. These results indicate that B cells and/or Ig "help" T cells through the generation and maintenance of T cell diversity, improving T cell function. Our results may have important implications for therapy and immune reconstitution in the context of AIDS, cancer, autoimmunity and post-myeloablative treatments.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1718-1728 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | European Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2006 |
Keywords
- Immune reconstitution
- Immunoglobulin
- T cell function
- TCR repertoire
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology