Premium
Dendritic cells and follicular dendritic cells express a novel ligand for CD38 which influences their maturation and antibody responses
Author(s) -
Wykes Michelle N.,
Beattie Lynette,
Macpherson Gordon G.,
Hart Derek N.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2004.01968.x
Subject(s) - cd38 , biology , antibody , dendritic cell , cd40 , follicular dendritic cells , microbiology and biotechnology , antigen , t cell , chemistry , antigen presenting cell , immunology , in vitro , immune system , cytotoxic t cell , biochemistry , stem cell , cd34
Summary CD38 is a cell surface molecule with ADP‐ribosyl cyclase activity, which is predominantly expressed on lymphoid and myeloid cells. CD38 has a significant role in B‐cell function as some anti‐CD38 antibodies can deliver potent growth and differentiation signals, but the ligand that delivers this signal in mice is unknown. We used a chimeric protein of mouse CD38 and human immunogobulin G (IgG) (CD38‐Ig) to identify a novel ligand for murine CD38 (CD38L) on networks of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) as well as dendritic cells (DCs) in the spleen. Flow‐cytometry found that all DC subsets expressed cytoplasmic CD38L but only fresh ex vivo CD11c + CD11b – DCs had cell surface CD38L. Anti‐CD38 antibody blocked the binding of CD38‐Ig to CD38L, confirming the specificity of detection. CD38‐Ig immuno‐precipitated ligands of 66 and 130 kDa. Functional studies found that CD38‐Ig along with anti‐CD40 and anti‐major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antibody provided maturation signals to DCs in vitro . When CD38‐Ig was administered in vivo with antigen, IgG2a responses were significantly reduced, suggesting that B and T cells expressing CD38 may modulate the isotype of antibodies produced through interaction with CD38L on DCs. CD38‐Ig also expanded FDC networks when administered in vivo . In conclusion, this study has identified a novel ligand for CD38 which has a role in functional interactions between lymphocytes and DCs or FDCs.