Cutting edge: a hypomorphic mutation in Igbeta (CD79b) in a patient with immunodeficiency and a leaky defect in B cell development

J Immunol. 2007 Aug 15;179(4):2055-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.4.2055.

Abstract

Although null mutations in Igalpha have been identified in patients with defects in B cell development, no mutations in Igbeta have been reported. We recently identified a patient with a homozygous amino acid substitution in Igbeta, a glycine to serine at codon 137, adjacent to the cysteine required for the disulfide bond between Igalpha and Igbeta. This patient has a small percentage of surface IgM(dim) B cells in the peripheral circulation (0.08% compared with 5-20% in healthy controls). Using expression vectors in 293T cells or Jurkat T cells, we show that the mutant Igbeta can form disulfide-linked complexes and bring the mu H chain to the cell surface as part of the BCR but is inefficient at both tasks. The results show that minor changes in the ability of the Igalpha/Igbeta complex to bring the BCR to the cell surface have profound effects on B cell development.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • CD79 Antigens / genetics*
  • CD79 Antigens / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency / genetics*
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency / immunology
  • Disulfides / immunology
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / genetics*
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / immunology
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin M / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / immunology
  • Immunoglobulins / genetics
  • Immunoglobulins / immunology
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Mutation, Missense* / immunology

Substances

  • CD79 Antigens
  • CD79A protein, human
  • CD79B protein, human
  • Disulfides
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Immunoglobulin mu-Chains
  • Immunoglobulins
  • immunoglobulin B