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Splenic and immune alterations of the Sparc-null mouse accompany a lack of immune response

Genes & Immunity volume 8, pages 262–274 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Sparc-null mice have been used as models to assess tumor-host immune cell interactions. However, it is not known if they have a competent immune system. In this study, the immune systems of Sparc wild-type and null mice were compared. Mice were assessed for differences in total body weight, spleen weight and spleen-to-body weight ratios. Spleens were compared with respect to morphology, and Sparc, Ki-67, MOMA-1 and IgM expression. Immune cells in blood, bone marrow and spleen were assessed by blood smears, automated blood panel, and flow cytometry. Additionally, the ability of Sparc-null mice to respond to immune challenge was evaluated using a footpad model. The morphological and immunohistochemical results indicated that Sparc-null spleens had more white pulp, hyperproliferative B cells in the germinal centers, and decreased marginal zones. Sparc-null spleens lacked normal Sparc expression in red and white pulp, marginal zones, endothelial and sinusoidal cells. By flow analysis, B cells were decreased and T cells were increased in the bone marrow. Finally, Sparc-null mice were unable to mount an immune response following footpad lipopolysaccharide challenge. These data confirm that Sparc-null mice have an impaired immune system.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dr Chin Howe for the Sparc-null mice. We thank Dr Hynda K Kleinman for her thoughtful discussion. This work was supported in part by the NIH/NCI Grant CA086997 (SAR). We are grateful for the continued support of the Barbara Jane Levy and the Gayle Halperin Kahn Funds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Barbara Jane Levy Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-Oncology, Hermelin Brain Tumor Center, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    S A Rempel, E Mouzon, N Lemke, C R Schultz & W Golembieski

  2. Department of Pathology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    R C Hawley & J A Gutiérrez

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Gayle Halperin Kahn Laboratory of Viral Onco-Therapeutics, Hermelin Brain Tumor Center, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    K R Bobbitt & C G Miller

  4. Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA

    L R Schultz

  5. NIDCR, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    J Koblinski & S VanOsdol

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  1. S A Rempel
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Correspondence to S A Rempel.

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Rempel, S., Hawley, R., Gutiérrez, J. et al. Splenic and immune alterations of the Sparc-null mouse accompany a lack of immune response. Genes Immun 8, 262–274 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gene.6364388

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