Resident B cells regulate thymic expression of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein

J Neuroimmunol. 2011 Jun;235(1-2):33-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2011.03.013. Epub 2011 May 7.

Abstract

Thymic B cells represent a numerically minor cell population located primarily at the cortico-medullary junction. Their biological role is unclear. B cell-deficient μMT mice exhibited reduced medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) numbers and reduced MOG and insulin mRNA expression. Lymphotoxin produced by B cells was critical for normal tissue restricted antigen (TRA) expression, suggesting that B cells regulate self-antigens through their production of LT. These results reveal an unexpected role of B cells in mTEC maintenance and expression of TRAs through their production of LT.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Female
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Nude
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / biosynthesis*
  • Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
  • RNA, Messenger / antagonists & inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Thymus Gland / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / metabolism*
  • Thymus Gland / pathology
  • Transplantation Chimera

Substances

  • Mog protein, mouse
  • Myelin Proteins
  • Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
  • Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
  • RNA, Messenger