B Cell-Mediated Antigen Presentation through MHC Class II Is Dispensable for Atherosclerosis Progression.

ABSTRACT: Depletion of B cells attenuates plaque development and modulates T cell responses in mouse models of atherosclerosis, suggesting that Ag presentation by B cells may promote disease progression. Thus, we set out to determine the role of B cell-mediated MHC class II (MHC II) Ag presentation during atherosclerotic plaque development. We developed murine conditional MHC II deletion and expression systems under control of the B cell-restricted CD19 promoter in an experimental model of atherosclerosis. Mice lacking MHC II expression only on B cells exhibited systemic shifts in germinal center and marginal zone B cell populations, leading to a reduced Ab response compared with littermate control animals. However, all populations were present and normal cholesterol uptake was detected in the plasm

SUBMITTER: Williams JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6999615 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature