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Thymus-independent class switch recombination is affected by APRIL

Hardenberg, G.; van Bostelen, L.; Hahne, M.; Medema, J. P.

Immunol Cell Biol

2008-09 / vol 86 / pages 530-34

Abstract

The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family member a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) is implicated in various B-cell processes, such as class switch recombination, plasma cell differentiation and plasma cell survival. This was suggested from initial studies analysing B-cell responses in APRIL-deficient and transgenic mice, and mice deficient for the TNF receptors of APRIL, transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI) and B-cell maturation antigen. Here, we present additional evidence for the importance of APRIL in thymus-independent (TI) B-cell responses, using APRIL-deficient and transgenic mice. APRIL-deficient mice show an impaired immunoglobulin A (IgA) response towards TI B-cell antigens, whereas APRIL transgenic mice show exaggerated TI B-cell responses. Moreover, antibody titres to TI antigens were sustained in APRIL transgenic mice for a long time and even increased up to 75 days in the case of IgA against 4-hydroxy-nitrophenacetyl-lipopolysaccharide.

0818-9641

Tags

b-cell; baff; chronic lymphocytic-leukemia; deficient mice; survival; taci; april; pathway; plasma cell; plasma-cell differentiation; responses; secretion; thymus independent

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