B cells inhibit induction of T cell-dependent tumor immunity

Z Qin, G Richter, T Schüler, S Ibe, X Cao… - Nature medicine, 1998 - nature.com
Z Qin, G Richter, T Schüler, S Ibe, X Cao, T Blankenstein
Nature medicine, 1998nature.com
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) mediated tumor immunity against major histocompatibility
antigen (MHC) class I-positive but class II-negative tumors often requires help from CD4+ T
cells. These CD4 cells are activated by MHC class II-positive cells that present tumor derived
antigens1, 2. Considering that different antigen presenting cells, such as B cells,
macrophages and dendritic cells compete for antigen and influence the outcome of an
immune response3–13, we analyzed tumor immunity in B cell-deficient mice14. These mice …
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) mediated tumor immunity against major histocompatibility antigen (MHC) class I-positive but class II-negative tumors often requires help from CD4+ T cells. These CD4 cells are activated by MHC class II-positive cells that present tumor derived antigens1,2. Considering that different antigen presenting cells, such as B cells, macrophages and dendritic cells compete for antigen and influence the outcome of an immune response3–13, we analyzed tumor immunity in B cell-deficient mice14. These mice appear normal with regard to T cell immunity and tolerance to some pure foreign antigens15–19. We show here that the low immunogenicity of tumors is caused by B cells whose presence in the priming phase results in disabled CD4+ T cell help for CTL mediated tumor immunity. Instead, in the presence of B cells, a non-protective humoral immune response is induced. Our results may explain the enigmatic observation that tumor-reactive antibodies occur frequently in cancer patients20.
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