Abnormal B lymphocyte development, activation, and differentiation in mice that lack or overexpress the CD19 signal transduction molecule.
CD19-deficient mice were generated to examine the role of CD19 in B cell growth regulation in vivo. Deletion of CD19 had no deleterious effects on the generation of B cells in the bone marrow, but there was a significant reduction in the number of B cells in peripheral lymphoid tissues. B cells from CD19-deficient mice exhibited markedly decreased proliferative responses to mitogens, and serum immunoglobulin levels were also significantly decreased. In contrast, mice that overexpressed CD19 had significant defects in early B cell development in the bone marrow, augmented mitogenic responses, and increased serum immunoglobulin levels. These experiments indicate that CD19 functions to define signaling thresholds for cell surface receptors that regulate B lymphocyte selection, activation, and differentiation.
Engel
P
P
Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Zhou
L J
LJ
Ord
D C
DC
Sato
S
S
Koller
B
B
Tedder
T F
TF
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000196:embryology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D017353:Gene Deletion; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D007136:Immunoglobulins