Memory CD4 T cells that express CXCR5 provide accelerated help to B cells

J Immunol. 2011 Mar 1;186(5):2889-96. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002955. Epub 2011 Jan 26.

Abstract

CD4 T cell help for B cells is critical for effective Ab responses. Although many of the molecules involved in helper functions of naive CD4 T cells have been characterized, much less is known about the helper capabilities of memory CD4 T cells, an important consideration for the design of vaccines that aim to prime protective memory CD4 T cells. In this study, we demonstrate that memory CD4 T cells enable B cells to expand more rapidly and class switch earlier than do primary responding CD4 T cells. This accelerated response does not require large numbers of memory cells, and similar numbers of primary responding cells provide less effective help than do memory cells. However, only memory CD4 T cells that express the B cell follicle homing molecule, CXCR5, are able to accelerate the response, suggesting that the rapidity of the Ab response depends on the ability of CD4 memory T cells to migrate quickly toward B cells.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / microbiology
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / virology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / transplantation
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / classification
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / immunology
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / pathogenicity
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Receptors, CXCR5 / biosynthesis*
  • Receptors, CXCR5 / physiology
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / administration & dosage
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / physiology
  • Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / immunology

Substances

  • CXCR5 protein, mouse
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing