Transcriptional networks in developing and mature B cells.
The development of B cells from haematopoietic stem cells proceeds along a highly ordered, yet flexible, pathway. At multiple steps along this pathway, cells are instructed by transcription factors on how to further differentiate, and several check-points have been identified. These check-points are initial commitment to lymphocytic progenitors, specification of pre-B cells, entry to the peripheral B-cell pool, maturation of B cells and differentiation into plasma cells. At each of these regulatory nodes, there are transcriptional networks that control the outcome, and much progress has recently been made in dissecting these networks. This article reviews our current understanding of this exciting field.
Matthias
Patrick
P
Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Novartis Research Foundation, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland. Patrick.Matthias@fmi.ch
Rolink
Antonius G
AG
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D038041:Lymphopoiesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology*
D014157:Transcription Factors