Impaired CD19 expression and signaling, enhanced antibody response to type II T independent antigen and reduction of B-1 cells in CD81-deficient mice.

Tsitsikov, E N; Gutierrez-Ramos, J C; Geha, R S · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 1997

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The tetraspanin CD81 is ubiquitously expressed and associated with CD19 on B lymphocytes and with CD4 and CD8 on T lymphocytes. Analysis of mice with disrupted CD81 gene reveals normal T cells but a distinct abnormality in B cells consisting of decreased expression of CD19 and severe reduction in peritoneal B-1 cells. CD81-deficient B cells responded normally to surface IgM crosslinking, but had severely impaired calcium influx following CD19 engagement. CD81-deficient mice had increased serum IgM and IgA and an exaggerated antibody response to the type II T independent antigen TNP-Ficoll. These results suggest that CD81 is important for CD19 signaling and B cell function.

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