title: Antigens displayed on murine B lymphocyte precursors.
abstract: The surface antigen phenotype of the immediate precursors of clonable B lymphocytes was investigated with conventional alloantisera and monoclonal antibodies directed by B lineage antigens. Ia was demonstrable on B cells, but not their immediate precursors in adult marrow. Adult, but not fetal, B cell precursors were susceptible to lysis with anti-Lyb-2 or anti-Qa. A panel of monoclonal rat antibodies was prepared and placed into categories on the basis of recognition patterns obtained with established cell lines. Of 2 groups that are described here, 1 (typified by antibodies from clone 14.8) detect an antigen that is preferentially expressed on B cells and their precursors, a proportion of antibody-secreting cells, and a subpopulation of peripheral T lymphocytes. Cells that did not display demonstrable amounts of antigen include brain, granulocytes, macrophages, mastocytoma cells, and erythroleukemia cells. A 2nd category of antibodies revealed an antigen that was more widely distributed on hemopoietic cells. Cells capable of quickly maturing into functional, colony-forming B lymphocytes in culture or after transfer to irradiated recipients specifically adhered to 14.8 antibody-coated, polystyrene petri dishes in the cold. Reductions in numbers of stem cells (CFU-s) and myeloid progenitors (CFU-c) by this treatment were minimal. Of particular importance was the fact that these antibodies recognized cells in embryonic liver as well as in adults that were destined to become B lymphocytes. These observations provide new perspective on B lineage precursor heterogeneity and suggest ways of localizing and dissecting some of the earliest events that are critical to development of the humoral immune system.
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000166:cytology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000494:pharmacology; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007106:Immune Sera