IRF5-deficient MRL/lpr mice have greatly reduced numbers of spleen plasmablasts and bone marrow plasma cells.

Abstract

<p>A. Spleen cells from IRF5^+/+ and IRF5^−/− MRL/lpr mice at 4 months of age were stained with antibodies against CD19, CD3, B220, CD22, CD44 and CD138. Plasmablasts (B220^lowCD22^lowCD44⁺CD138⁺) were identified within the splenic B cell (CD19⁺CD3⁻) population. Bone-marrow cells from IRF5^+/+ and IRF5^−/− MRL/lpr mice were stained with antibodies against CD4, CD8, F4/80, Gr-1, B220 and CD138. CD4⁻CD8⁻F4/80⁻Gr-1⁻ cells were gated to analyze plasma cells (B220⁻CD138⁺). B. Numbers and percentages of spleen plasmablasts and bone marrow plasma cells of IRF5^+/+ (filled circles) and IRF5^−/− (open circles) MRL/lpr mice at 2, 3 and 4 months of age are shown. Each dot represents an individual mouse. Bars represent mean ± SEM. *p<0.05; **p<0.01.</p