17Beta-estradiol expands IgA-producing B cells in mice deficient for the mu chain.

• Oestrogen is not only a sex hormone but also an important regulator of the immune system. Expression of the heavy chain of IgM (mu) is essential for B-cell differentiation. However, a small number of IgA-positive B cells can be found in mice lacking the mu chain (muMT-/-). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oestrogen on this alternative B-cell pathway in muMT-/- mice. Our results clearly demonstrate that oestrogen increases the frequency of IgA-producing B cells in muMT-/- mice in both bone marrow and spleen cells. We also show that mature IgM-producing B cells are not required for oestrogen-mediated suppression of granulocyte-mediated inflammation or thymic involution. In conclusion, we demonstrate that 17beta-estradiol benzoate increases the frequency of IgA-producing B cells in muMT-/- mice, suggesting that oestrogen can influence the alternative B-cell pathway found in muMT-/- mice.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Immunologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Immunology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Animals

B-Lymphocyte Subsets

immunology

metabolism

Cell Proliferation

Estradiol

physiology

Female

Immunoglobulin A

biosynthesis

Immunoglobulin mu-Chains

genetics

Mice

Mice

Inbred C57BL

Mice

Knockout

Mice

Mutant Strains

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)