Follicular B cell trafficking within the spleen actively restricts humoral immune responses.

Hoek KL, Gordy LE, Collins PL, Parekh VV, Aune TM, JOYCE S, Thomas JW, Van Kaer L, Sebzda E. Follicular B cell trafficking within the spleen actively restricts humoral immune responses. Immunity. 33(33). 254-265. PMID: 20691614 [PubMed] PMCID: PMC2929658 NIHMSID: NIHMS226567.

Abstract

Follicular (FO) and marginal zone (MZ) B cells are maintained in distinct locations within the spleen, but the genetic basis for this separation is still enigmatic. We now report that B cell sequestration requires lineage-specific regulation of migratory receptors by the transcription factor Klf2. Moreover, using gene-targeted mice we show that altered splenic B cell migration confers a significant in vivo gain-of-function phenotype to FO B cells, including the ability to quickly respond to MZ-associated antigens and pathogens in a T cell-dependent manner. This work demonstrates that in wild-type animals, naive FO B cells are actively removed from the MZ, thus restricting their capacity to respond to blood-borne pathogens.