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
DOI
10.3389/fimmu.2014.00129