Th1 and Th2 CD4+ T cells provide help for B cell clonal expansion and antibody synthesis in a similar manner in vivo

J Immunol. 2000 Sep 15;165(6):3136-44. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.6.3136.

Abstract

The relative ability of Th1 and Th2 T cells to help B cells remains controversial as do the mechanisms by which both T cell subsets provide help in vivo. Whether this help affects the clonal expansion and/or differentiation of B cells has been difficult to assess due to the low frequency of Ag-specific T and B lymphocytes. We have employed a novel technique to directly monitor the clonal expansion of Ag-specific T and B lymphocytes in vivo. OVA-specific TCR transgenic T lymphocytes were polarized toward a Th1 or Th2 phenotype in vitro. These cells were then transferred into syngeneic recipients, along with B cell receptor transgenic hen egg lysozyme-specific B lymphocytes. Our results indicate that Th1 and Th2 cells support B cell responses to a similar extent in vivo and that they achieve this in the same manner by migrating into B cell follicles to promote CD154-dependent B cell clonal expansion and Ab production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibody Formation* / genetics
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / transplantation
  • CD40 Antigens / metabolism
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Cell Polarity / genetics
  • Cell Polarity / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Clone Cells
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Ligands
  • Lymphocyte Activation* / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Cooperation* / genetics
  • Male
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / transplantation*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / transplantation*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CD40 Antigens
  • Cytokines
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • CD40 Ligand
  • Ovalbumin