Abnormal distribution of dendritic cells in (NZW x BXSB)F1 mice.

(NZW x BXSB)F1 mice (W/BF1 mice) have been reported to develop autoimmune diseases with aging. We have also reported that the number of dendritic cells (DCs) increases in the various organs, and that the B-cell response to LPS or interleukin-4 plus anti-mu increase with aging in W/BF1 mice. In the present experiment, we show that many DCs exist not only in the T-cell area but also in the B-cell area and the sinus in the spleen of aged W/BF1 mice, and that the coculturing of DCs from aged W/BF1 mice and B cells from disease-free young W/BF1 mice produces much more IgG and IgM than normal mice. These results suggest that an abnormal distribution of DCs and the interaction of DCs and B cells induce the hyperproduction of immunoglobulin in aged W/BF1 mice.