Date of Award
2013
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Microbiology and Immunology
Abstract
In rabbits, antibody diversity and B cell expansion are generated in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT), in an antigen- and T cell-independent mechanism, and require interaction with intestinal microbiota. I investigated, in vitro, the mechanism by which commensals drive GALT reactions. Bacteria were isolated from the GALT of rabbits and identified by 16sRNA sequencing. I found that the commensals can bind to Ig, independently of their specificity. In addition, a ~20kDa bacterial molecule was immunoprecipitated with recombinant Ig molecules. Stimulation of B cells with selected bacterial molecules induced the activation of B cells. Stimulation of B cells through TLR2 induced the expression of chemokine receptors known to be expressed on B cells as they move throughout the follicle. The data collected in these studies support the idea that bacteria provide B cells with signals that may lead to their activation and migration in GALT, in an antigen independent manner.
Recommended Citation
Ochoa, Karina, "Selective Expansion of B Cells by Intestinal Microbiota" (2013). Master's Theses. 1468.
https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/1468
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2013 Karina Ochoa
