B cell-deficient mice succumb to fatal T cell-mediated immunopathology after infection with the LCMV strain Docile, whereas B cell-sufficient mice with a narrowed BCR antigen repertoire develop an asymptomatic virus carrier state. The project aims to define the immunopathological effector mechanisms involved in these two states. The extent of T cell exhaustion in B cell-sufficient and -deficient mice will be compared and the mechanisms by which B cells regulate T cell reactivity will be examined using mice with a B cell-restricted deficiency in IL-10, p35 or CD40. In addition, the system will be used to show that stimulating immunity might be a possibility to prevent immunopathology.
DFG Programme
Collaborative Research Centres
