B cell-dependent T cell development

Acta Paediatr Suppl. 2004 May;93(445):52-3; discussion 54. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2004.tb03057.x.

Abstract

T and B cells are thought to develop independently. While it is widely recognized that T cells help B cells in the production of antibodies to protein antigens, less well understood is whether or how B cells contribute to T cell development and function. Defects in cell-mediated immunity in individuals with B cell deficiency and in B cell-deficient mice suggest that B cells contribute to T cell function. The question of whether T cell development is B cell dependent was revisited using two novel mouse strains: mice with monoclonal T cells (MT) and mice with monoclonal compartments of both B and T cells (MBT). It was found that T cell development and thymocyte selection is modified by the presence of B cells. These results suggest that B cells, or B cell products, contribute to thymocyte selection and T cell development.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Clonal Deletion / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Lymphopenia / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Immunological
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology