A negative regulatory function of B7 revealed in B7-1 transgenic mice

Immunity. 1994 Aug;1(5):415-21. doi: 10.1016/1074-7613(94)90072-8.

Abstract

To analyze the functions of T cell costimulators in vivo, we have constructed a transgenic mouse strain that constitutively expresses murine B7-1 on mature B cells. Antibody responses to T-dependent hapten-protein conjugates and serum immunoglobulin levels are markedly depressed in B7-1 transgenic mice. This immune deficiency is not due to an intrinsic B cell defect, as antibody responses to T-independent hapten conjugates are normal. Furthermore, treatment with anti-B7-1 restores the capacity of transgenic mice to respond to hapten-protein conjugates, demonstrating that the deficient antibody responses are directly attributable to the expression of B7-1. These results suggest that the temporally regulated expression of costimulators such as B7-1 may contribute to either initiation or down-regulation (feedback inhibition) of T-dependent immune responses in vivo, and that the inhibitory function is dominant in transgenic mice that constitutively express high levels of this costimulator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B7-1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-1 Antigen / physiology*
  • Base Sequence
  • Gene Expression
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic / immunology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data

Substances

  • B7-1 Antigen