Requirement for invariant chain in B cell maturation and function.
Previously the role of invariant chain (Ii) had been described only as a chaperone that facilitates folding and transport of major histocompatability complex class II molecules; here it is shown that Ii is required for B cell development. B cells from mice lacking Ii were found to have a low response to T-independent type II antigen and could not proliferate after the mice were injected with antigen. Study of cell surface markers revealed a developmental arrest that prevented immature virgin B cells from becoming mature B cells in the periphery. This block was independent of major histocompatability complex class II expression and was an intrinsic feature of B cells that correlated with the amount of Ii. Thus, Ii participates by an unknown mechanism in B cell maturation.
Shachar
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I
Section of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Flavell
R A
RA
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000502:physiology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000502:physiology*; D007114:Immunization; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000032:analysis
D000941:Antigens; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D017455:Receptors, IgE; C045084:invariant chain