| First Author | Bessa J | Year | 2010 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 184 |
| Issue | 9 | Pages | 4615-9 |
| PubMed ID | 20368279 | Mgi Jnum | J:160439 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:4454468 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.0903949 |
| Citation | Bessa J, et al. (2010) Cutting edge: IL-21 and TLR signaling regulate germinal center responses in a B cell-intrinsic manner. J Immunol 184(9):4615-9 |
| abstractText | IL-21 produced by follicular Th (Tfh) cells is an important regulator of Tfh cell development and B cell responses, including germinal center (GC) formation. However, whether defective GC formation and Ab responses are a consequence of impaired Tfh cells development or a B cell-intrinsic defect in IL-21-deficient mice requires clarification. To address this question, we generated chimeric mice lacking IL-21R exclusively on B cells. In this study, we demonstrate that GC reaction and B cell responses induced by immunization with virus-like particles were strongly reduced in both global and B cell-specific IL-21R-deficient mice. Interestingly, the presence of TLR7 ligand within virus-like particles largely restored defective GC reaction and Ab responses in global as well as in B cell-specific IL-21R-deficient mice. Hence, IL-21 acts directly on B cells and cooperates with TLR signaling for optimal B cell responses. |
