The Roles of pre-B Cell Receptor and Transcription Factors in B Cell Development

Abstract: B cell development from hematopoietic stem cell is a complex and multi-steps process in bone marrow. This process is highly controlled. Transcription factors， like PU.1， EBF and Pax5 function in a hierarchal way， upregulate B-lineage specific gene expression and play important roles in B cell commitment and development. After successful Ig heavy chain recombination in pre-B cells， m chain is expressed and forms pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR) with surrogate light chains and Iga/b heterodimer. pre-BCR induces differentiation signal and promotes further B cell development. Pre-B cells cannot assembly pre-BCR and will die by apoptosis if Ig heavy chain recombination is not succeeded. Therefore， pre-BCR transient expression in pre-B transition stage is an important checkpoint in B cell development.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2004.05.0011