| First Author | Gorelik L | Year | 2003 |
| Journal | J Exp Med | Volume | 198 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 937-45 |
| PubMed ID | 12975458 | Mgi Jnum | J:150930 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3852477 | Doi | 10.1084/jem.20030789 |
| Citation | Gorelik L, et al. (2003) Normal B cell homeostasis requires B cell activation factor production by radiation-resistant cells. J Exp Med 198(6):937-45 |
| abstractText | The cellular source of B cell activation factor (BAFF) required for peripheral B cell survival/maturation is unknown. To determine the nature of BAFF-producing cells we established and analyzed reciprocal bone marrow (BM) chimeras with wild-type (WT) and BAFF-deficient mice. The results revealed that BAFF production by radiation-resistant stromal cells is completely sufficient to provide a necessary signal for B cell survival/maturation, as BAFF-/- BM cells transferred into lethally irradiated WT mice gave rise to normal numbers of follicular (FO) and marginal zone (MZ) B cell subpopulations. On the other hand, transfer of WT BM into BAFF-/- lethally irradiated mice resulted only in minimal reconstitution of mature FO B cells and no restoration of MZ B cells. Thus, in the absence of BAFF+/+ stromal cells, BAFF production by BM-derived cells, presumably by macrophages, dendritic cells, and/or neutrophils, was not at all sufficient to support normal B cell homeostasis. Interestingly, immunization of both types of chimeras stimulated high levels of antigen-specific antibody secretion, indicating that either stromal cell- or hematopoietic cell-derived BAFF is sufficient for B cell antibody responses. |
