B cell memory in xid mice is long-lived despite reduced memory B cell frequency

Scand J Immunol. 1997 Jun;45(6):655-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3083.1997.d01-444.x.

Abstract

Brutons tyrosine kinase (Btk) deficient xid mice have a diminished primary T cell dependent immune response, resulting in a reduced memory B cell frequency. Boosting at 35 days post primary immunization, however, generates a normal secondary immune response, indicating a functional memory B cell compartment. The longevity of B cell memory appears to depend on both the presence of antigen and expression of cell survival genes such as bcl-2. Since there is a natural decay in the number of memory B cells over time and since xid B cells have been demonstrated to have reduced Bcl-2 levels, we aimed at determining whether B cell memory of xid mice would be long-lasting. This report demonstrates that memory B cell precursors are detectable in xid mice more than 100 days after primary immunization. Furthermore, a secondary immune response of normal magnitude and kinetics can be generated in xid mice at 150 days after primary immunization indicating that B cell memory is long-lived in xid mice. Thus, although survival of B cell memory is presumably dependent on immunoglobulin (Ig)-mediated interaction with antigen, this interaction does not depend solely on signalling through Btk.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / genetics*
  • Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology
  • Immunologic Memory / genetics*
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • X Chromosome / immunology*