Direct reduction of antigen receptor expression in polyclonal B cell populations developing in vivo results in light chain receptor editing.

ABSTRACT: Secondary Ab V region gene segment rearrangement, termed receptor editing, is a major mechanism contributing to B lymphocyte self-tolerance. However, the parameters that determine whether a B cell undergoes editing are a current subject of debate. We tested the role that the level of BCR expression plays in the regulation of receptor editing in a polyclonal population of B cells differentiating in vivo. Expression of a short hairpin RNA for ? L chain RNA in B cells resulted in reduction in levels of this RNA and surface BCRs. Strikingly, fully mature and functional B cells that developed in vivo and efficiently expressed the short hairpin RNA predominantly expressed BCRs containing ? light chains. This shift in L chain repertoire was accompanied by inhibition of development, increased Rag gene expression, and increased ? V gene segment-cleavage events at the immature B cell stage. These data demonstrated that reducing the translation of BCRs that are members of the natural repertoire at the immature B cell stage is sufficient to promote editing.

SUBMITTER: Shen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3244530 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature