Abstract
The expression of the preB cell receptor (preBCR), composed of the mu chain, surrogate light chains and the Igalpha /Igbeta signal transduction unit, permits further differentiation of Bcell precursors. C57BL/6 mice homozygous for an inactivating mutation of the membrane exon of the mu chain gene (C57BL/6muMT/muMT)) cannot form a preBCR and are, consequently, devoid of mature B lymphocytes. Here we present evidence that the block of B cell development by the muMT mutation is incomplete in BALB/c mice. Unlike C57BL/6muMT/muMT), BALB/cmuMT/muMT) mice generate small numbers of mature B cells, accumulate plasma cells and produce high levels of all immunoglobulin isotypes, except IgM. The observed phenomenon seems to be controlled by a single genetic locus that is not linked to IgH.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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Cell Differentiation
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Ficoll / analogs & derivatives*
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Ficoll / immunology
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
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Genes, Immunoglobulin*
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Immunization
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Immunoglobulin Isotypes / biosynthesis
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Immunoglobulin Isotypes / genetics
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Immunoglobulin M / biosynthesis
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Immunoglobulin M / genetics
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Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / genetics*
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Immunoglobulins / biosynthesis*
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Immunoglobulins / genetics*
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Lipopolysaccharides / immunology
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Lymphoid Tissue / cytology
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Lymphoid Tissue / immunology
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Lymphopoiesis / genetics
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Lymphopoiesis / immunology
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Mutant Strains
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Mutation*
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Trinitrobenzenes / immunology
Substances
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Immunoglobulin Isotypes
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Immunoglobulin M
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Immunoglobulin mu-Chains
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Immunoglobulins
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Lipopolysaccharides
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TNP-ficoll
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Trinitrobenzenes
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trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide
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Ficoll