Alteration of the T cell self-specificity repertoire by treatment with anti-Ia antibody during embryonic life

The effect of anti-Ia antibody on the development of murine neonatal self-Ia-reactive T lymphocytes in the thymus was studied. A C57BL/6 (B6) mouse pregnant with (B6 X C3H/He)F1 (B6C3F1) embryos was injected with monoclonal anti-I-Ek (m alpha I-Ek) antibody every other day starting from the 12th day of gestation. The mixed leukocyte culture reaction (MLR) responses of thymocytes from m alpha I-Ek-treated neonatal mice were assayed against adult B6 (H-2b), C3H/H3 (H-2k) or BALB/c (H-2d) splenic stimulator cells. The syngeneic MLR response of m alpha I-Ek-treated B6C3F1 neonatal thymocytes against C3H stimulator cells was augmented compared to that of untreated neonatal thymocytes. Experiments utilizing recombinant inbred strains of mice as well as monoclonal anti-Ia antibody blocking experiments suggested that the antigen(s) responsible for this augmentation of syngeneic MLR resided in the I-Ek molecule. The MLR response against B6 or BALB/c stimulator cells was not influenced by m alpha I-Ek treatment. We speculate that m alpha I-Ek antibody blocked the expression of I-Ek molecules in B6C3F1 embryos and this resulted in the alteration of T cell self-specificity repertoire in the thymus. Our results support the concept that Ia molecules play important roles for the elimination of self-reactive T lymphocyte clones in the thymus.     

Antigen presentation by B lymphocytes to CD4+ T lymphocytes in vivo: importance for B lymphocyte and T lymphocyte activation.

B lymphocytes, like macrophages and dendritic cells, can present antigen to CD4+ T cells. Antigen presentation by B cells is essential for the generation of an in vivo T cell dependent antibody response, and repeated antigen presentation by B cells to T cells is necessary to induce B cell clonal expansion. Presentation of antigen by resting B cells to unprimed T cells tolerizes T cells, while anti-IgD antibody activates B cells and allows B cell antigen presentation that productively activates T cells. However, activation is not all that is required for B cells to productively present antigen to T cells.     

抗人淋巴细胞T8抗原样McAb的研制和初步鉴定

用杂交瘤技术,将经人外周血E花环阳性细胞免疫小鼠脾细胞与NS-1骨髓瘤细胞融合后,产生一分泌IgG_1亚型McAb杂交瘤株。其所分泌抗体经微量放射免疫测定及间接免疫荧光法分析,表明它只能与T细胞系、76％的胸腺细胞及22％的外周血T淋巴细胞反应,不与其它各种不同细胞反应。将此抗体所识别入外周血T淋巴细胞亚群与抗Leu-2a识别T8~+细胞、抗Leu-3a识别T4~+细胞比较,发现此抗体与抗Leu-2a识别同一群细胞。此抗体能从T细胞表面沉淀出30KD(还原条件)或78KD(非还原条件)分子,并完全阻断FITC标记抗Leu-2a与T细胞的结合,说明此抗体是识别T8抗原样的McAb。     

21.1.1, a novel activation marker of T and B cells

A new rat mAb designated mAb 21.1.1 was raised against a T cell hybridoma of mouse origin, T2D4. This antibody, an IgG2b, immunoprecipitates from the membrane extracts of iodinated T2D4 cells a 56-kDa glycoprotein of apparent pI 4.6 which gives a 34-kDa polypeptide after treatment with endoglycosidase F. MAb 21.1.1 reacts with an antigen expressed on murine mitogen-activated thymocytes and T cells, and on B cells stimulated by anti-IgM antibodies. Cells isolated from the spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow are negative, as are purified resting B cells or T cells. This antigen is strongly expressed on most day-16 fetal thymocytes whereas adult thymocytes are almost negative. mAb 21.1.1 may be useful for the study of activation and differentiation of T and B cells.     

Analysis of T cell activation with a non-mitogenic anti CD3 antibody and the phorbol ester TPA.

We used a non mitogenic anti CD3 antibody, termed VIT3, to study the signals required for the activation of normal resting T lymphocytes. Besides being not mitogenic, this antibody completely inhibits mitogen induced proliferative responses. In the presence of the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), however, VIT3 induces DNA replication and cell proliferation comparable to PHA responses. In addition, T cells cultured with VIT3 plus TPA but not with VIT3 or TPA alone express high levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptors and transferrin receptors. This co-stimulation appears to be accessory cell independent. Purified T cells respond equally well to VIT3 plus TPA as do unseparated mononuclear cells and addition of non-T cells has no enhancing effect. We conclude that the IgM antibody VIT3, although non-mitogenic by itself, still delivers a first and for the activation essential signal. In resting T cells this signal does not induce demonstrable anti-Tac antibody binding nor does it lead to a fully developed proliferative response in the presence of recombinant IL-2. Together with a second signal provided by TPA it serves, however, as a potent inducer of T cell growth.     

Four distinct antigen systems on human thymus and T cells defined by monoclonal antibodies: immunohistological and immunochemical studies.

Human thymus and T cell antigens were identified by using four distinct monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), designated 2D5, 5B3, 7A5 and 9D4. 2D5 antibody reacted with most human thymocytes and a few peripheral lymphocytes as well as with a subpopulation (20%) of bone marrow cells, and precipitated a 45K molecular weight (mol. wt.) component from 125I-labelled thymus cell lysate. 7A5 antibody also reacted with the majority (80%) of thymocytes but neither with peripheral lymphocytes nor with bone marrow cells. The antigen detected by 7A5 was a glycoprotein consisting of 48K and 12K mol. wt. components, which were non-covalently associated with each other. 5B3 reacted with virtually all of human thymus and T cells but not with the majority of B cells and bone marrow cells. This reagent precipitated a 72K mol. wt. glycoprotein from thymus and T cells. An additional 65K mol. wt. glycoprotein was precipitated by 5B3 together with the 72K mol. wt. component, but with poor reproducibility. 9D4 antibody, on the other hand, reacted with a 200K mol. wt. component from thymus and T cells as well as 220K and 210K components from the non-T cell fraction of tonsil lymphocytes. Whereas antigens detected by 2D5 and 7A5 appeared to be highly expressed on cortical thymocytes, the antigen defined by 5B3 occurred much more abundantly on medullary thymocytes and peripheral T cells than on cortical thymocytes. Based on the data described above, it is suggested that 7A5, 5B3 and 9D4 MoAb recognize human homologues of mouse TL, Ly-1 and Ly-5 antigens, respectively, whereas 2D5 antibody seems to resemble OKT10, as described by others.     

Triggering of the lethal hit in human cytotoxic T lymphocytes: a functional role for a 103-kDa T cell-specific activation antigen

A monoclonal antibody (CB.1) is described that defines a new triggering signal for human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The antibody precipitates a 103-kDa surface antigen from activated normal human T cells. The antigen is undetectable or present in only low amounts on resting T lymphocytes but its expression increases strongly after activation and proliferation on T4+ and T8+ T lymphocytes. Binding of antibody CB.1 to CTL results in triggering of the lethal hit. This induction of cytotoxicity is dependent on cross-linking of CTL and an Fc receptor-bearing target cell with CB.1 and requires Ca2+ like antigen-specific triggering. CB.1-induced triggering can be specifically inhibited by binding of antibodies to the T8 or T4 molecules on T8+ or T4+ CTL.     

T helper cell-dependent induction of resting B cell differentiation need not require cognate cell interactions

We have analyzed the role of cognate interaction with helper T cells (Th) in support of resting B cell differentiation to plaque formation. Co-culture of histoincompatible resting B cells and resting Th cells resulted in the induction of plaque-forming cells when dimeric but not monomeric fragments of anti-T cell receptor (TcR) antibody were added to culture. The efficiency of B cell activation was comparable to that supported by lipopolysaccharide and lectin-mediated Th-B cell conjugate formation. Further, if resting Th cells were preactivated with antigen and histocompatible antigen-presenting cells, the requirement for addition of anti-TcR to mixtures of histoincompatible Th and B cells was obviated. These results demonstrate that TcR-mediated Th recognition of major histoincompatibility complex class II/antigen composites on the resting B cell membrane does not provide obligate signals for B cell differentiation to plaque formation. We are left with two possibilities. Either the entire process of Th cell-dependent induction of resting B cell differentiation is mediated by soluble lymphokines or if Th-B cell contact is mandatory, it is mediated through nonpolymorphic cell surface determinants.     

A novel 120-kDa antigen shared by immature human thymocytes and long-term-activated T cells

In this study we report the characterization of monoclonal antibody (mAb) 8B4/20, raised against immature human thymocytes, that identifies a novel leukocyte antigen. The molecular characterization of the antigen by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting yields, under nonreducing conditions, a specific band of 120 kDa which, under reducing conditions, displays a slightly lower molecular mass (110 kDa). mAb 8B4/20 detects a molecule found on the majority of thymocytes with an inverted gradient of expression when compared to CD3. It appears at high density on the CD3^?/low thymocytes, at reduced density on the CD3^med and double-positive thymocytes, and is absent on CD3^hi and singlepositive thymocytes and on peripheral blood T cells. Immunohistochemistry on frozen sections demonstrates cortical staining of the thymic lobules. Flow cytometric analysis of the different subsets of peripheral blood mononuclear cells shows that mAb 8B4/20 detects an antigen expressed only on CD56⁺/CD16⁺ natural killer cells and on a fraction of CD14⁺ monocytes. T cells, B cells, erythrocytes, granulocytes and platelets are consistently negative. The expression of the molecule on tumor cell lines does not show lineage restriction. Analysis of phytohemagglutinin plus recombinant interleukin-2-activated peripheral blood lymphocytes shows that mAb 8B4/20 identifies an antigen expressed on CD3⁺ cells by week 3 of culture. Thus, it recognizes a very late activation antigen (VLA) on mature T cells. The cell distribution and the electrophoretic pattern of the molecule identified by mAb 8B4/20 is distinct from that of known CD and of integrin/VLA molecules. Its function on thymocytes is so far unknown; however, the binding of mAb 8B4/20 to tumor lines induces changes in the morphology and adhesive properties of the 8B4/20⁺ cells growing in suspension. We suggest that mAb 8B4/20 recognizes a molecule that may be involved in interactions between thymocytes and other thymic structures that may be relevant for the selection process.     

Identification of A T lineage antigen in the catfish

A murine monoclonal antibody produced against catfish thymocytes and immunoglobulin-negative lymphocytes in the blood identified a catfish T cell antigen designated Cf T1. The Cf T1 antigen was found to be expressed on thymocytes, a subpopulation of the lymphoid cells in blood and other lympho-hemopoietic tissues, and a T cell line, but was not expressed by erythrocytes, thrombocytes, myeloid cells, B cells or macrophage cell lines. Stimulation of blood mononuclear cells with the T cell mitogen, concanavalin A, resulted in an increased frequency of Cf T1⁺ cells. Conversely, lipopolysaccharide stimulation increased the number of IgM⁺ B cells and decreased the frequency of Cf T1⁺ cells. The Cf T1 antigen was defined as a single chain protein of M_r 35 000 lacking N- and O-linked sugars. The Cf T1 molecule thus provides a T lineage-specific marker in this bony fish representative.     

Pro‐IL‐16 is Associated with MHC Class II‐Mediated Negative Regulation of Mouse Resting B Cell Activation through MAP Kinases,NF‐κB and Skp2‐Dependent p27kip Regulation

MHC class II molecules, in addition to their essential role as antigen‐presenting molecules to CD4⁺ T cell receptor, have a signal‐transducing role related to B cell function. We identified pro‐IL‐16 as one of the proteins associated with MHC class II‐mediated signalling in an analysis of MHC class II‐associated molecules using immunoprecipitation and proteomics data obtained from the 38B9 resting B cell line, and investigated the role of pro‐IL‐16 in resting B cell activation. We found that pro‐IL‐16, rather than mature form of IL‐16, is present both in the cytoplasm and nucleus of resting B cells, and its expression is influenced by MHC class II‐mediated signalling. In addition, overexpression of pro‐IL‐16 impaired resting B cell proliferation and this inhibitory effect was mediated through regulating nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation. Knock‐down of pro‐IL‐16 expression using siRNA decreased the level of cell‐cycle inhibitor p27^kip and increased the level of Skp2. In addition, knock‐down of pro‐IL‐16 modulated mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation. Given that IL‐16 acts as an immunomodulator by impairing antigen‐induced T cell activation and its precursor, pro‐IL‐16, plays a role in regulating the cell cycle in T lymphocytes and T cell lymphoma, we concluded that pro‐IL‐16 is involved in resting B cell proliferation, similar to its function in T lymphocytes.     

Identification and quantitation of bovine T cell antigen with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to identify and quantitate T cell antigen(s) in bovine thymocytes and peripheral blood T cells. The ELISA, employing non-ionic detergent-solubilized lymphocyte membranes as antigen, and goat anti-bovine thymocyte serum (GABTS) and horseradish peroxidase-conjugated rabbit anti-goat immunoglobulin (PORAG) as direct and indirect reactants, respectively, showed that thymocytes and peripheral blood T cells separated by erythrocyte-antibody-complement (EAC) rosetting technique had high concentrations of T cell antigen. In contrast, bone marrow cells and EAC-positive peripheral blood B cells had minimal T cell antigen. 92.0 +/- 3.5% of EAC-positive bovine lymphocytes were found to be B cells and 89.5 +/- 5.8% of EAC-negative lymphocytes T cells, as determined by SmIg and anti-T cell immunofluorescence (IF) techniques. In both IF and ELISA, pre-absorption of rabbit anti-goat IgG serum was needed to obviate cross-reactions with bovine B cells. A competitive ELISA developed for quantitating T cell antigens, showed that peripheral blood T cells contained only 46% of the antigen present in thymocytes.     

Effective activation of resting mouse T lymphocytes by cross-linking submitogenic concentrations of the T cell antigen receptor with either Lyt-2 or L3T4

We studied the activation of small resting mouse T lymphocytes by antibodies to the T cell antigen receptor in combination with antibodies to other T cell surface antigens. Solid-phase but not soluble antibodies KJ16-133 and F23.1, both directed to beta chains of the V beta 8 family, activate T cells to proliferate in the presence of growth factors, in a dose-dependent fashion. Antibodies to Lyt-2 and to L3T4 had no activating effect at any concentration. However, submitogenic concentrations of KJ16-133 and of F23.1 synergized with a wide range of concentrations of anti-Lyt-2 and anti-L3T4 to cause T cell proliferation similar or greater in magnitude to that caused by high concentrations of anti-T cell receptor antibody. Synergistic activation was also observed with antibodies to Lyt-1, LFA-1 and H-2 class I antigens but to a significantly lower degree. This was particularly clear in limiting dilution experiments in which the corrected frequencies of T cells proliferating in response to low amounts of anti-T cell receptor antibody together with anti-Lyt-2 were 1/4 to 1/7 for BALB/c T cells. The frequencies of BALB/c T cells responding to high concentrations of anti-T cell receptor antibody alone were between 1/14 and 1/126 and still lower frequencies of T cells proliferated in synergistic responses with anti-LFA-1 or anti-Lyt-1. Synergistic activation leads to the induction of functional cytotoxic cells. We interpret these data as suggestive that cross-linking of the T cell antigen receptor with either Lyt-2 (CD8) or L3T4 (CD4) represents an optimal activating signal for resting T cells. We think that, in physiological T cell activation, cross-linking of the T cell receptor to CD8 or CD4 is induced by their simultaneous binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (for CD8) or MHC class II (for CD4) molecules on stimulator cells. We consider the possibility that similar cross-linking requirements may also exist during T cell repertoire selection in ontogeny, thus accounting for the strict coexpression of MHC class I and class II-restricted T cell receptors with CD8 and CD4 molecules, respectively.     

Quantitative analysis of tissue distribution of Ly10-like murine alloantigen(s) with antisera and monoclonal antibodies

Tissue distribution of non-Lyt1.1 ("Ly10-like") antigen or antigens encoded by short chromosomal segment differentiating B6-Ly-1a congenic strain from B6 strain of mice was studied by quantitative absorption of (BALB/c X B6)F1 anti B6-Ly-1a antiserum and by direct cytotoxicity of Ly-10-132-12-26 monoclonal antibody on lymphoid cell populations. Identical strain but not tissue distribution pattern does not allow to conclude whether antiserum and monoclonal antibody detect the same or closely linked antigens. Absorption experiments revealed the highest antigen content in the brain tissue, lower in testis and kidney, still lower in lymphoid organs and the lowest in liver and lung. Among lymphoid cells, bone marrow cells had highest absorbing capacity, followed by thymus, spleen and lymph nodes. Monoclonal antibody lysed almost 100% of thymocytes, 30% bone marrow cells and 10-20% of spleen and lymph node cells (both T-cell and B-cell enriched populations contained the same proportion of positive cells). Cortisone resistant thymocytes showed the same sensitivity as cortical thymocytes to Ly-10-132-12-26 antibody which is distinguishable characteristics of medullary thymocytes from peripheral T cells. Mitogen activated lymphocytes exhibited significantly higher expression of Ly10-like antigen than resting peripheral lymphocytes.     

Alternative molecular form of human T cell-specific antigen CD27 expressed upon T cell activation

The CD27 membrane antigen is exclusively present on a large subset of human peripheral blood T lymphocytes and on mature thymocytes. Several observations point towards a specific role of this molecule on activated T cells. Upon T cell activation induced via the T cell receptor complex, CD27 expression greatly increases, while addition of anti-CD27 monoclonal antibodies amplifies the proliferative response. Within the CD4+ subset, only CD27+ T cells provide helper activity for B cell differentiation. Interestingly, CD27 expression differs not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively between resting and activated T cells. On resting cells, CD27 is a disulfide-linked homodimer with subunits of 55 kDa molecular mass. Upon activation, also a 55-kDa monomer seems to occur, while in addition a 32-kDa component is found. The relationship between these two proteins has been investigated. The 55-kDa and 32-kDa molecules do not seem to be physically associated. The two CD27 components are structurally highly homologous as determined by two-dimensional mapping of tryptic peptides. They both express the epitopes recognized by anti-CD27 antibodies, indicating that the 32-kDa molecule is also T cell specific. Both 55-kDa and 32-kDa molecules carry N-linked carbohydrate groups. However, they differ in other, not yet specified, post-translational modifications, and do not arise from a common precursor simply by alternative N-glycosylation. The 32-kDa form may be derived by proteolytic processing from the 55-kDa protein, but most likely not from a larger (common) precursor. Alternatively, both molecules may arise from a common gene by alternative mRNA splicing, or be derived from highly homologous genes. The dramatic change in molecular composition of CD27 suggests a newly acquired function for CD27 on activated T cells.     

MRC OX-19: A monoclonal antibody that labels rat T lymphocytes and augments in vitro proliferative responses

A mouse monoclonal antibody, designated MRC OX-19, has been prepared that binds to virtually all rat thymocytes, T lymphocytes and a maximum of 2% B lymphocytes. Immunoperoxidase studies on tissue sections showed no reactivity with nonlymphoid cells in intestine, thymus, spleen and lymph node. The antigen recognized by MRC OX-19 antibody was identified by metabolic and cell surface labeling of thymocytes followed by immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulfate gel elec-trophoresis. It is a surface glycoprotein of M_r = 69000. When included in in vitro assays for T cell functions, MRC OX-19 increased proliferation stimulated by allogeneic spleen cells or the lectins phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A. The antibody itself was not mitogenic and its stimulatory effect could be correlated with an increase in interleukin 2 production. Taken together the data suggest that MRC OX-19 could be the equivalent of mouse Ly-1 antigen and human T1 antigen.     

The induction of human B-cell activation, proliferation and differentiation by anti-CD3-stimulated T cells--a model of T cell/B cell collaboration

It is clear that anti-CD3-activated T cells provide all the signals necessary for polyclonal activation, proliferation and differentiation of human B cells. B-cell activation, proliferation and differentiation are initiated by a complex series of receptor-ligand interactions, of which LFA-1-ICAM-1 ligation plays a central, but not exclusive role. In addition, the action of a number of cytokines, most prominently IL2, is essential for B-cell proliferation and differentiation. It is apparent from the results obtained using this model system that the conjugate formation that occurs as part of antigen presentation and T-cell activation is not required for the subsequent collaboration between activated T cells and B cells necessary to trigger B-cell responses. The implication of these studies is that after initial antigen recognition and T-cell activation, T cell/B cell collaboration leading to antibody production is antigen non-specific and potentially capable of inducing polyclonal B-cell responses. Conjugate formation that develops as part of antigen presentation may tend to focus the response and limit the B cells that can be induced to respond. Alternatively, T-cell recognition of antigen may deliver a signal to the B cell by cross-linking MHC molecules bearing the recognized antigenic fragment that makes it more capable of responding to the T-cell-derived antigen-non-specific signals and cytokines promoting B-cell activation, proliferation and differentiation.     

Cross-reaction of 791T/36 monoclonal antibody with immunological activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Monoclonal antibody 791T/36, directed against surface antigen on the human osteosarcoma cell line (791T), and cross-reacting with surface antigen p72 expressed on activated (PHA, MLR) human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM), was used in analysis of p72 antigen in vitro. Using FACS-IV system and fluorescence microscope, it was shown that expression of p72 antigen on PBM cells is dependent on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation, and alloantigens in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The increase of p72 expression is always connected with lymphocytes proliferation activity (FACS-IV analysis and 3H-Thymidine incorporation assay). The expression of p72 is not significantly dependent on cell size, and stage of the cell in the cell cycle. A suggestion, that p72 is a one of so-called "proliferation antigens" is discussed. Present study emphasizes a problem of cross-reactivity in the context of possible errors in diagnosis and therapy, when a monoclonal antibody cross-reacts with cells other than intendent target cells.     

Expression of the PD-1 antigen on the surface of stimulated mouse T and B lymphocytes

A mAb J43 has been produced against the product of the mousePD-1 gene, a member of the Ig gene superfamily, which was previouslyisolated from an apoptosis-induced T cell hybridoma (2B4.11)by using subtractive hybridization. Analyses by flow cytometryand immunoprecipitation using the J43 mAb revealed that thePD-1 gene product is a 50–55 kDa membrane protein expressedon the cell surface of several PD-1 cDNA transfectants and 2B4.11cells. Since the molecular weight calculated from the aminoacid sequence is 29,310, the PD-1 protein appears to be heavilyglycosylated. Normal murine lymphoid tissues such as thymus,spleen, lymph node and bone marrow contained very small numbersof PD-1⁺ cells. However, a significant PD-1⁺ population appearedin the thymocytes as well as T cells in spleen and lymph nodesby the in vivo anti-CD3 mAb treatment. Furthermore, the PD-1antigen expression was strongly induced in distinct subsetsof thymocytes and spleen T cells by in vitro stimulation witheither anti-CD3 mAb or concanavalin A (Con A) which could leadT cells to both activation and cell death. Similarly, PD-1 expressionwas induced on spleen B cells by in vitro stimulation with anti-IgMantibody. By contrast, PD-1 was not significantly expressedon lymphocytes by treatment with growth factor deprivation,dexamethasone or lipopolysaccharide. These results suggest thatthe expression of the PD-1 antigen is tightly regulated andinduced by signal transduction through the antigen receptorand do not exclude the possibility that the PD-1 antigen mayplay a role in clonal selection of lymphocytes although PD-1expression is not required for the common pathway of apoptosis.     

IL-7 modulates B cells survival and activation by inducing BAFF and CD70 expression in T cells

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) promotes the maintenance and activation of peripheral T cells, whereas it does not act directly on mature B cells due to the lack of IL-7Rα expression on these. We report here that, in spite of the insensitivity of B cells to IL-7, high concentration of IL-7 can lead to increased B cell survival and antibody production in the presence of T cells, without the use of any further B cell stimulatory signal. IL-7 promoted B cell activation through inducing CD70 expression on resting T cells, particularly on CD4+ memory cells. The interaction of CD70 molecules with the B cell costimulatory receptor CD27 led to B cell proliferation, the accumulation of CD38 + CD20- plasmablasts and antibody production. In addition, IL-7 treatment induced BAFF secretion from resting peripheral T cells thereby promoting B cell survival. IL-7 levels can increase in lymphopenic conditions, in autoimmune diseases or in patients receiving T cell regenerative IL-7 therapy. Based on our findings high IL-7 levels can lead to increased B cell activation by inducing the B cell regulatory proteins CD70 and BAFF in resting T cells. Such activity might be beneficial in short term immune-stimulatory IL-7 therapies; permanently increased IL-7 levels, on the other hand, can contribute to impaired B cell tolerance.