Abnormal Immune Function of Hemopoietic Cells from Alymphoplasia (aly) Mice, a Natural Strain with Mutant NF-κB-Inducing Kinase

Alymphoplasia (aly) mice, a natural strain with a mutant NF-kappa B-inducing kinase (NIK) gene, manifest a unique phenotype; they lack lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, have a disturbed spleen architecture, and exhibit defects in both Ab and cellular immune responses. Although a stromal defect caused by impaired lymphotoxin-beta receptor signaling accounts for their abnormal lymphoid organogenesis, the exact mechanisms underlying the development of immunodeficiency in aly mice are poorly understood. We therefore investigated the contribution of hemopoietic cells with the aly NIK mutation to the development of immunodeficiency. Transfer of aly/aly bone marrow cells into aly/+ mice resulted in poorly developed B cell follicles and lack of support for the development of germinal centers and isotype switching, indicating that the hemopoietic cells of aly mice contain an autonomous defect. However, follicular dendritic cell clusters were maintained in the spleens of these bone marrow chimeras, suggesting that the lack of follicular dendritic cell clusters in aly mice is probably due to the stromal defect. The aly mice lacked marginal zone B cells in their spleens, and aly/aly B cells showed an impaired proliferative response after in vitro stimulation. IL-2 production by activated T cells was also impaired. By contrast, the dendritic cells of aly mice exhibited grossly normal development and function. Supporting the concept of an autonomous cell defect, Rel protein expression was altered in aly/aly spleens. Thus, the aly NIK mutation affects hemopoietic cell function in an intrinsic fashion and, together with the stromal defect, may contribute to the development of immunodeficiency in aly mice.