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Development of T-B cell collaboration in neonatal mice

Astori, Mireille ; Finke, Daniela ; Karapetian, Ochine ; Acha-Orbea, Hans

In: International Immunology, 1999, vol. 11, no. 3, p. 445-451

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    Title
    • Development of T-B cell collaboration in neonatal mice
    Author
    • Astori, Mireille. Institute for Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
    • Finke, Daniela. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
    • Karapetian, Ochine. Institute for Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
    • Acha-Orbea, Hans. Institute for Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    Language
    • English
    Published in
    • International Immunology, 1999, vol. 11, no. 3, p. 445-451. Oxford University Press
    Other Version
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:299047
    Summary
    The neonatal immune response is impaired during the first weeks after birth. To obtain a better understanding of this immaturity, we investigated the development of T cell interactions with B cells in mice. For this purpose, we analyzed the immune response to three T-dependent antigens in vivo: (i) the polyclonal antibody response induced by vaccinia virus; (ii) the production of polyclonal and specific antibodies following immunization with hapten-carrier conjugates; (iii) the mouse mammary tumor virus superantigen (sAg) response involving an increase in sAg-reactive T cells and induction of polyclonal antibody production. After vaccinia virus injection into neonates, the polyclonal antibody response was similar to that observed in adult mice. The antibody response to hapten-carrier conjugates, however, was delayed and reduced. Injection with sAg-expressing B cells from neonatal or adult mice allowed us to determine whether B cells, T cells or both were implicated in the reduced immune response. In these sAg responses, neonatal T cells were stimulated by both neonatal and adult sAg-presenting B cells but only B cells from adult mice differentiated into IgM- and IgG-secreting plasma cells in the neonatal environment in vivo. Injecting neonatal B cells into adult mice did not induce antibody production. These results demonstrate that the environment of the neonatal lymph node is able to support a T and B cell response, and that immaturity of B cells plays a key role in the reduced immune response observed in the neonate