| First Author | Meyer-Bahlburg A | Year | 2008 |
| Journal | J Exp Med | Volume | 205 |
| Issue | 1 | Pages | 155-68 |
| PubMed ID | 18180309 | Mgi Jnum | J:131142 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3773009 | Doi | 10.1084/jem.20071088 |
| Citation | Meyer-Bahlburg A, et al. (2008) Characterization of a late transitional B cell population highly sensitive to BAFF-mediated homeostatic proliferation. J Exp Med 205(1):155-68 |
| abstractText | We have characterized a distinct, late transitional B cell subset, CD21(int) transitional 2 (T2) B cells. In contrast to early transitional B cells, CD21(int) T2 B cells exhibit augmented responses to a range of potential microenvironmental stimuli. Adoptive transfer studies demonstrate that this subset is an immediate precursor of both follicular mature and marginal zone (MZ) B cells. In vivo, a large percentage of CD21(int) T2 B cells has entered the cell cycle, and the cycling subpopulation exhibits further augmentation in mitogenic responses and B cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) receptor expression. Consistent with these features, CD21(int) T2 cells exhibit preferential responses to BAFF-facilitated homeostatic signals in vivo. In addition, we demonstrate that M167 B cell receptor (BCR) idiotypic-specific B cells are first selected within the cycling CD21(int) T2 population, ultimately leading to preferential enrichment of these cells within the MZ B cell compartment. These data, in association with the coordinate role for BAFF and microenvironmental cues in determining the mature BCR repertoire, imply that this subset functions as a unique selection point in peripheral B cell development. |
