Estrogen increases the number of plasma cells and enhances their autoantibody production in nonautoimmune C57BL/6 mice
DI Verthelyi, SA Ahmed - Cellular immunology, 1998 - Elsevier
The immunological consequences of chronic estrogen exposure in normal individuals are
not known, particularly in relation to B cells. In this study, by employing ELIspot, image
cytometry, flow cytometry, cytology, and ELISA, we show that long-term exposure of normal
mice to estrogen activates B cells to produce higher numbers of not only immunoglobulin-
producing cells, but also autoantibody-producing cells. Estrogen promoted a decrease in
B220+ splenic lymphocytes, but resulted in a 10-fold increase in plasma cells. Further, the …
not known, particularly in relation to B cells. In this study, by employing ELIspot, image
cytometry, flow cytometry, cytology, and ELISA, we show that long-term exposure of normal
mice to estrogen activates B cells to produce higher numbers of not only immunoglobulin-
producing cells, but also autoantibody-producing cells. Estrogen promoted a decrease in
B220+ splenic lymphocytes, but resulted in a 10-fold increase in plasma cells. Further, the …