Sterile inflammation in the spleen during atherosclerosis provides oxidation-specific epitopes that induce a protective B-cell response.

Apo E-/- mice have more antibody to the epitope than wild type mice of the same age, and older mice (20 weeks) have somewhat more antibody than younger mice (7-8 weeks) in both wild type and Apo E -/- mice. Higher antibody levels were seen in younger Apo E -/- mice after a transfer of spleen marginal zone B cells (MZB) from older mice. Wild type mice were injected with apoptotic cells and more anti epitope antibody was detected.