Enhanced IgA Class Switching in Marginal Zone and B1 B Cells Relative to Follicular/B2 B Cells

Mouse splenic marginal zone (MZ) B cells and B1 B cells enriched in the peritoneal cavity respond preferentially to T cell-independent Ags compared with follicular (FO)/B2 B cells. Despite the differential responses of B cell subsets to various stimuli, and despite the need for multiple stimuli to induce IgA class switching, the relative contribution of B cell subpopulations to IgA production is unknown. By culturing purified B cell populations, we find that MZ and peritoneal B1 cells switch more readily to IgA than do splenic FO or peritoneal B2 cells in BLyS/LPS/TGF-beta. Addition of IL-4, IL-5, and anti-IgD dextran to the cultures enhances IgA switching in FO/B2 and MZ B cells to a similar frequency, but this treatment suppresses IgA class switching in B1 cells. Thus, IgA switching differs among purified B cell subsets, suggesting that individual B cell populations could contribute differentially to IgA expression in vivo, depending on available stimuli.