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.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
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Female
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Lymphocyte Count
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Mice, Nude
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Myelin Proteins
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Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / biosynthesis*
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Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
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RNA, Messenger / antagonists & inhibitors
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RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
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Thymus Gland / immunology
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Thymus Gland / metabolism*
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Thymus Gland / pathology
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Transplantation Chimera
Substances
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Mog protein, mouse
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Myelin Proteins
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Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein
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Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein
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RNA, Messenger