Protective role of gammadelta T cells in spontaneous ocular inflammation.

Purpose: A role for gammadelta T cells in immunoregulation has been shown in a number of studies, but in the absence of infection or induced disease, mice lacking gammadelta T cells generally appear to be healthy. That certain mice lacking gammadelta T cells often spontaneously develop keratitis, characterized by a progressive and destructive inflammation of the cornea is reported here.

Methods: The keratitis developing in these mice was characterized in terms of prevalence in males versus females, age of onset, and histologic features.

Early B cell factor: Regulator of B lineage specification and commitment.

B lymphocytes are generated from hematopoietic stem cells in a series of steps controlled by transcription factors. One of the most important regulators of this process is early B cell factor (EBF). Multiple lines of evidence indicate that expression of EBF is a principle determinant of the B cell fate.