Publication Date

2014

Journal Title

Front Immunol

Abstract

B-1a cells constitutively secrete natural antibody that provides immediate protection against microbial pathogens and functions homeostatically to speed removal of apoptotic cell debris. Although B-1a cells are especially prominent in the peritoneal and pleural cavities, some B-1a cells reside in the spleen. A small subset of splenic B-1a cells in naive, unimmunized mice express CD138, a recognized plasma cell antigen, whereas the bulk of splenic B-1a cells are CD138 negative. Splenic B-1a cells in toto have been shown to generate much more antibody per cell than peritoneal B-1a cells; however, specific functional information regarding CD138(+) splenic B-1a cells has been lacking. Here, we find a higher proportion of CD138(+) splenic B-1a cells spontaneously secrete more IgM as compared to CD138(-) B-1a cells. Moreover, IgM secreted by CD138(+) splenic B-1a cells is skewed with respect to N-region addition, and some aspects of VH and JH utilization, as compared to CD138(-) splenic B-1a cells and peritoneal B-1a cells. The small population of CD138(+) splenic B-1a cells is likely responsible for a substantial portion of natural IgM and differs from IgM produced by other B-1a cell subsets.

Volume Number

5

Pages

129

Document Type

Article

EPub Date

2014/04/16

Status

Faculty; Northwell Researcher

Facility

School of Medicine; Northwell Health

Primary Department

Molecular Medicine

Additional Departments

General Internal Medicine

PMID

24734034

DOI

10.3389/fimmu.2014.00129


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