Abstract
The development of B lymphocytes is tightly linked to the expression of immunoglobulins (Igs). Pro/preB cells which do not correctly rearrange heavy/light chain genes are aborted. Correctly rearranged Ig transgenes are apparently recognized by the developing B cells and can prevent the rearrangement of endogenous Ig genes. Both μ and γ2b heavy chain genes cause this feedback inhibition of heavy chain gene rearrangement. μ transgenes can in addition replace endogenous μ in its preB cell survival/maturation function. However, several different transgenic lines have shown that γ2b transgenes do not provide the nurturing functions of μ, except for one unique γ2b transgenic line, the C line. In this line mature B cells express γ2b only. Presumably, an unknown gene has been activated at the transgene integration site whose product over|comes the need for μ. The function of this gene depends of the presence of the surrogate light chain (sL), and thus must operate in combination with the preB cell receptor or in a down-stream signaling/antiapoptosis event requiring the γ2b/sL receptor. The analysis of the two types of γ2b transgenic mice shows that the signals for preB cell development are highly complex and promises to reveal new insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of B cell maturation.
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Storb, U., Roth, P. & Kurtz, B. γ2b transgenic mice as a model for the role of immunoglobulins in B cell development. Immunol Res 13, 291–298 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02935620
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02935620