Figure 4. Genetic deficiency in γδ T cells alters transitional B cells in the spleen.

Comparison of transitional B cell populations in the spleens of 8 wks old female C57BL/6 (B6), B6.TCR-δ^−/− (δ^−/−), B6.TCR-Vγ1^−/− (Vγ1^−/−) and B6.TCR-Vγ4^−/−/Vγ6^−/− (Vγ4^−/−/6^−/−) mice. (A) Immature IgM^posB220^posCD93^pos B cells in the spleen were further subdivided into CD21^negIgM^hi (T1) and CD21^posIgM^pos (T2 plus T3) B cells. The test panel mice were also compared for CD23 and IgD expression in the two subsets of transitional B cells. Representative examples are shown. (B) Absolute numbers of transitional B cells/spleen in 8 wks old mice and (C) relative frequencies. (D) Expression of CD23 and IgD in transitional B cells of wt and γδ-deficient mice. Profiles representative of at least three independent staining experiments are shown. For panels b and c, n = 8–14 mice per group. Significant differences between wt and the γδ-deficient mice are marked. ***P<0.001