All oligosaccharide moieties of the μ chains in the pre-BCR are of the high-mannose type.
Although it is well established that pre-BCR signaling governs proliferation and differentiation during B cell development, the components of the pre-BCR that are important for signaling are a matter of controversy. It has been suggested that signaling by the μ heavy chains of the pre-BCR induces survival and differentiation of pre-B cells, while the λ5 part of the pre-BCR is essential for proliferation and clonal expansion. However, the mechanism by which pre-BCR μ chains initiate differentiation signals is not clear. Using two variants of a murine B-lymphocyte cell line that differ only in surface expression of either BCR or pre-BCR, we demonstrated that surface μ chains in the pre-BCR are of the high-mannose type only, while those in the BCR are of the complex type. It is hypothesized that mannose-specific lectin-like molecules on accessory cells or in solution may function as the non-antigen ligand that triggers the pre-BCR.
Haimovich
Joseph
J
Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
Ben Moshe
Natalie
N
Raviv
Yasmin
Y
Hollander
Nurit
N
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D002469:Cell Separation; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007148:Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D008358:Mannose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D054420:Pre-B Cell Receptors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D054448:Precursor Cells, B-Lymphoid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D007148:Immunoglobulin mu-Chains; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D054420:Pre-B Cell Receptors; D008358:Mannose