Resident B cells regulate thymic expression of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein

Thymic B cells represent a numerically minor cell population located primarily at the cortico-medullary junction. Their biological role is unclear. B cell-deficient mu MT mice exhibited reduced medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) numbers and reduced MOG and insulin mRNA expression. Lymphotoxin produced by B cells was critical for normal tissue restricted antigen (IRA) expression, suggesting that B cells regulate self-antigens through their production of LT. These results reveal an unexpected role of B cells in mTEC maintenance and expression of TRAs through their production of LT. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.