Abstract
Precursors of B cells, which constitute a subpopulation of the lymphocytes in bone marrow, can be identified by their surface expression of nonimmunoglobulin markers and the absence of immunoglobulin kappa and lambda light chains. Most pre-B cells synthesize mu heavy chains but, without light-chain partners, these undergo rapid cytoplasmic degradation. In the present study, we demonstrate that late stage pre-B cells, like their neoplastic counterparts, express low levels of a surface receptor composed of mu chains paired with a surrogate light-chain complex formed by Vpre-B and lambda 5-like proteins. The data define a previously suspected but unrecognized stage in normal pre-B-cell differentiation. Expression of a clonally diverse receptor renders this population of immature B-lineage cells potentially vulnerable to clonal selection by antigens and idiotypic interactions.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Antibody Formation*
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B-Lymphocytes / cytology
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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Bone Marrow / embryology
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Bone Marrow / immunology*
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Cell Cycle
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Cells, Cultured
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Clone Cells
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Fetus
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Fluorescent Antibody Technique
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
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Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology*
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin Light Chains / biosynthesis
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Immunoglobulin Light Chains / immunology*
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Immunoglobulin Light Chains, Surrogate
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Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / analysis*
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Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / biosynthesis
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Membrane Glycoproteins / analysis*
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Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / analysis*
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / biosynthesis
Substances
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Immunoglobulin Light Chains
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Immunoglobulin Light Chains, Surrogate
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Immunoglobulin mu-Chains
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell