CC chemokine receptor 6 expression by B lymphocytes is essential for the development of isolated lymphoid follicles

Am J Pathol. 2007 Apr;170(4):1229-40. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2007.060817.

Abstract

Isolated lymphoid follicles (ILFs) are organized lymphoid structures that facilitate the efficient interaction of antigen, antigen-presenting cells, and lymphocytes to generate controlled adaptive immune responses within the intestine. Because CC chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) deficiency affects the generation of mucosal immune responses, we evaluated a potential role for CCR6 in the development of ILFs. We observed that CCR6 and its ligand CCL20 are highly expressed within ILFs and that B lymphocytes are the largest CCR6-expressing population within ILFs. ILF development was profoundly arrested in the absence of CCR6. Concordant with a block in ILF development at a stage corresponding to the influx of B lymphocytes, we observed that CCR6-deficient mice had a diminished population of intestinal B lymphocytes. Bone marrow reconstitution studies demonstrated that ILF development is dependent on CCR6-sufficient B lymphocytes, and adoptive transfers demonstrated that CCR6(-/-) B lymphocytes were inefficient at localizing to intestinal lymphoid structures. Paralleling these findings, we observed that CCR6-deficient mice had a reduced proportion of Peyer's patch B lymphocytes and an associated re-duction in the number and size of Peyer's patch follicular domes. These observations define an essential role for CCR6 expression by B lymphocytes in localizing to intestinal lymphoid structures and in ILF development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer / methods
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / transplantation
  • Chemokine CCL20
  • Chemokines, CC / metabolism
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphoid Tissue / growth & development
  • Lymphoid Tissue / metabolism
  • Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Peyer's Patches / growth & development
  • Peyer's Patches / metabolism*
  • Receptors, CCR6
  • Receptors, Chemokine / deficiency
  • Receptors, Chemokine / genetics
  • Receptors, Chemokine / metabolism*
  • Thy-1 Antigens / metabolism

Substances

  • CCL20 protein, mouse
  • CCR6 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CCL20
  • Chemokines, CC
  • Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins
  • Receptors, CCR6
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Thy-1 Antigens