Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
12
pubmed:dateCreated
1997-7-17
pubmed:abstractText
LTalpha-deficient (LTalpha-/-) mice show altered splenic microarchitecture. This includes loss of normal B cell-T cell compartmentalization, of follicular dendritic cell (FDC) clusters, and of ability to form germinal centers (GC). LTalpha-/- mice immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) produced high levels of antigen-specific IgM but no IgG in either primary or secondary responses, demonstrating failure of Ig class switching. This inability to switch to IgG could have been due to the altered splenic microarchitecture in these mice. Alternatively, it could have been due directly to a requirement for LTalpha expression by lymphocytes cooperating in the antibody response. To investigate this, we performed reciprocal spleen cell transfers. When irradiated LTalpha-/- mice were reconstituted with wild-type splenocytes and immunized immediately with SRBC, splenic microarchitecture remained disturbed and there was no IgG response. In contrast, when irradiated wild-type animals received splenocytes from LTalpha-/- mice, follicle structure and a strong IgG response were retained. These data indicate that LTalpha-deficient B cells and T cells have no intrinsic defect in ability to generate an IgG response. Rather, the altered microenvironment characteristic of LTalpha-/- mice appears to result in impaired ability to switch to a productive IgG response. To investigate whether prolonged expression of LTalpha could alter the structure and function of spleen follicles, reciprocal bone marrow (BM) transplantation was performed. Six weeks after reconstitution of LTalpha-/- mice with wild-type BM, spleen follicle structure was partially restored, with return of FDC clusters and GC. B cell/T cell compartmentalization remained abnormal and white pulp zones were small. This was accompanied by restoration of IgG response to SRBC. Reconstitution of wild-type mice with LTalpha-/- BM resulted in loss of FDC clusters and GC, and loss of the IgG response, although compartmentalized B cell and T cell zones were largely retained. Thus, defective IgG production is not absolutely associated with abnormal B cell and T cell compartmentalization. Rather, expression of LTalpha supports the maturation of spleen follicle structure, including the development and maintenance of FDC clusters, which supports Ig class switching and an effective IgG response.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-1329840, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-7516669, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-7535097, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-7583355, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-7636227, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-7774281, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-7859281, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-7916655, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8011279, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8171322, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8171323, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8524396, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8616890, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8622941, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8624801, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8638112, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8642291, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8642301, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8657279, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8671586, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8684487, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8726467, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/9182683-8879212
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0022-1007
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
16
pubmed:volume
185
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2111-20
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-18
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1997
pubmed:articleTitle
Lymphotoxin-alpha (LTalpha) supports development of splenic follicular structure that is required for IgG responses.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't