Dependence of germinal center B cells on expression of CD21/CD35 for survival.

Fischer, M B; Goerg, S; Shen, L; Prodeus, A P; Goodnow, C C; Kelsoe, G; Carroll, M C · Science · 1998

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Affinity-driven selection of B lymphocytes within germinal centers is critical for the development of high-affinity memory cells and host protection. To investigate the role of the CD21/CD35 coreceptor in B cell competition for follicular retention and survival within the germinal center, either Cr2+ or Cr2null lysozyme-specific transgenic B cells were adoptively transferred into normal mice immunized with duck (DEL) or turkey (TEL) lysozyme, which bind with different affinities. In mice injected with high-affinity turkey lysozyme, Cr2null B cells responded by follicular retention; however, they could not survive within germinal centers. This suggests that CD21 provides a signal independent of antigen that is required for survival of B cells in the germinal center.

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