2B4 Is Dispensable for T-Dependent B Cell Immune Responses, but Its Deficiency Leads to Enhanced T-Independent Responses Due to an Increase in Peritoneal Cavity B1b Cells

PLoS One. 2015 Aug 31;10(8):e0137314. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137314. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

The signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM) family plays important roles in adaptive immune responses. Herein, we evaluated whether the SLAM family member 2B4 (CD244) plays a role in immune cell development, homeostasis and antibody responses. We found that the splenic cellularity in Cd244-/- mice was significantly reduced due to a reduction in both CD4 T cells and follicular (Fo) B cells; whereas, the number of peritoneal cavity B cells was increased. These findings led us to examine whether 2B4 modulates B cell immune responses. When we examined T-dependent B cell responses, while there was no difference in the kinetics or magnitude of the antigen-specific IgM and IgG1 antibody response there was a reduction in bone marrow (BM) memory, but not plasma cells in Cd244-/- mice. When we evaluated T-independent immune responses, we found that antigen-specific IgM and IgG3 were elevated in the serum following immunization. These data indicate that 2B4 dampens T-independent B cell responses due to a reduction in peritoneal cavity B cells, but has minimal impact on T-dependent B cell responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / immunology*
  • Antigens, CD / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Bone Marrow / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Peritoneal Cavity / physiology*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / immunology*
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Cd244a protein, mouse
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family