The transient expression of pre-B cell receptors governs B cell development

Peter D. Burrows, Robert P. Stephan, Yui Hsi Wang, Kaïss Lassoued, Zhixin Zhang, Max D. Cooper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

Only a subpopulation of relatively large pre-B cells express pre-B cell receptors (preBCR) that can be seen with very sensitive immunofluorescence methods. Inefficient assembly of the multicomponent preBCR coupled with their ligand-induced endocytosis may account for the remarkably low in vivo levels of preBCR expression. Signaling initiated via the preBCR promotes cellular proliferation and RAG-1 and RAG-2 downregulation to interrupt the immunoglobulin V(D)J gene rearrangement process. Silencing of the surrogate light chain genes, VpreB and λ5, then terminates preBCR expression to permit cell cycle exit, recombinase gene upregulation, and VJL rearrangement by small pre-B cells destined to become B cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)343-349
Number of pages7
JournalSeminars in Immunology
Volume14
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ig gene rearrangement
  • Surrogate light chain
  • preBCR
  • proBCR

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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