Mature B cell depletion in ApoE^−/− mice treated with anti-BAFFR antibody.

<p>(A) Male 6–8 weeks-old ApoE^−/− mice were given 0.5 mg anti-BAFFR antibody or control rat Ig fortnightly via tail vein injection while fed a high fat diet for 8 weeks. (B) CD93⁻ CD19⁺ mature B2 cells identified by FACS analysis significantly decreased in spleen, with CD93⁺ CD19⁺ immature B2 cells unaffected in anti-BAFFR-antibody treated mice. (C) Representative FACS showing mature and immature B cells in spleen stained with CD93 and CD19 antibodies. Blue circle represents CD93⁺ CD19⁺ immature B cells and red circle CD93⁻ CD19⁺ mature B cells (D) Confocal microscopy showing disrupted splenic B cell zones in treated, but not in control mice. B and T cells stained respectively with B220 and CD3 and counterstained with dapi (E) Plasma BAFF levels elevated in treated mice. (F) CD20 mRNA expression decreased in treated mice. n = 7–9 mice per group * p&lt;0.05 □ control IgG treated mice; ▪ BAFFR-antibody treated mice.