Expression of mouse CD43 in the B cell lineage of transgenic mice causes impaired immune responses to T-independent antigens.

CD43 (leukosialin), a sialylated glycoprotein expressed on the surface of most hematopoietic cells, has been implicated in cell adhesion and signaling. However, its precise physiological function remains unclear. We used mouse CD43 (mCD43)-immunoglobulin enhancer-transgenic (TG) mice to study the role of mCD43 in vivo. Previous work revealed that mCD43 expression on mature B cells in these mice resulted in immunodeficiency to T-dependent (TD) antigens (Ag), possibly by impairing B-T cell interactions. In the present study we have immunized the TG mice with the T-independent (TI) Ag fluorescein-(Fl) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (TI type 1 Ag) and Fl-Ficoll (TI type 2 Ag). Surprisingly, the mCD43-Ig enhancer expressing mice were impaired in their ability to mount humoral responses to both Fl-LPS and Fl-Ficoll, and had decreased numbers of cells responding to Ag in vivo. Flow cytometric analysis was performed on peritoneal B-1 cells, a population which often plays a major role in humoral responses to TI Ag such as bacterial Ag. This analysis revealed similar B220, IgM and CD5 expression patterns for the TG and nontransgenic (NTG) B-1 cells. In addition, purified peritoneal B-1 cells from TG and NTG mice were able to respond to LPS. Stimulation of splenic B cells in vitro with Fl-LPS and Fl-Ficoll revealed that, in contrast to NTG B cell responses, TG B cell responses could not be enhanced by co-culture with T cells. However, soluble T cell factor enhancement of the TG B cell responses was normal. These data suggest that the mCD43 expression on B cells may inhibit cell interactions that are important for enhanced TI Ag responses. The anti-adhesive forces of mucins in general may thus be critical in regulating both TD and TI humoral responses.

Disregulated expression of CD43 (leukosialin, sialophorin) in the B cell lineage leads to immunodeficiency.

Leukosialin (CD43 or sialophorin) is a cell surface sialoglycoprotein implicated in cell adhesion and proliferation whose tightly regulated expression in B lymphocytes is likely important for their normal development and/or function. To examine the physiologic role of mouse CD43 (mCD43) in vivo, we exploited transgenic (TG) mice whose developmental expression of mCD43 was extended during B cell differentiation so that mCD43 was now expressed on peripheral B cells. Despite having increased B cells, localization of lymphocytes in the TG spleens appeared normal by immunocytochemistry with anti-CD4, anti-CD8, and anti-B220 mAbs. However, the numbers of splenic germinal centers and the resting sera Ig levels were decreased in the TG mice compared with littermate controls. TG mice had decreased humoral responses to the T-dependent Ags keyhole limpet hemocyanin and OVA, as well as reduced Ag-specific B cell numbers. In contrast, in vitro LPS stimulation of purified TG or control B cells resulted in similar proliferation and IgM responses. Thus, the alteration of B cell mCD43 expression that resulted in profound immunodeficiency in vivo was not due to absolute defects in B cell development or Ab production. However, TG B cells had a decreased ability to homotypically aggregate and to present Ag to the T cell hybridoma B3Z. These data suggest that the immunodeficiency seen in vivo is due to the anti-adhesive forces of mCD43 preventing normal T-B cell interaction. This likely reflects a general property of mucins in regulating cell interactions.

Disregulation of leukosialin (CD43, Ly48, sialophorin) expression in the B-cell lineage of transgenic mice increases splenic B-cell number and survival.

Leukosialin (also known as Ly48, CD43, and sialophorin) is a major cell surface sialoglycoprotein found on a variety of hematopoietically derived cells. The precise function of this molecule is poorly understood but it has been implicated in cell proliferation and intercellular adhesion. We developed a transgenic mouse model to assess leukosialin's function in vivo. Our approach was to alter mouse CD43 (mCD43) expression in the B-cell lineage where it is tightly regulated, by expressing it in peripheral B cells where it is normally absent. To drive expression of leukosialin in mature B cells, the immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer was fused to the mCD43 gene. mCD43-immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer transgenic mice display splenomegaly due to increased numbers of B cells. Transgenic B cells show a striking increase in their ability to survive in vitro compared to B cells from nontransgenic control mice. This prolonged survival is reflected in a decreased susceptibility to apoptosis. These observations suggest that mCD43 plays an important role in the regulation of B-cell survival. The alteration of the temporal expression, or "disregulation," of a gene in transgenic mice provides a general strategy for elucidating the in vivo role of other molecules involved in cell signaling and adhesion.