Tolerance checkpoints in B-cell development: Johnny B good.
B-cell development up to the immature B-cell stage takes place in the bone marrow, while final maturation into mature B cells occurs in the spleen. During differentiation, the precursor and immature B cells have to pass several checkpoints, including those in which they are censored for being auto-reactive, and therefore being potentially dangerous. Numerous studies have shown that the immature B-cell stage in the bone marrow and the transitional B-cell stages in the spleen comprise distinct checkpoints at which auto-reactivity is censored. Recently, evidence has been provided that the large pre-BII stage in the bone marrow, at which the pre-BCR is expressed, is yet another B-cell tolerance checkpoint. Here, we review these findings and speculate on directions for possible further experimentation.
Tussiwand
Roxane
R
Developmental and Molecular Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse, Basel, Switzerland.
Bosco
Nabil
N
Ceredig
Rhodri
R
Rolink
Antonius G
AG
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D054448:Precursor Cells, B-Lymphoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism