Abstract
Silencing individual C (constant region) lambda genes in a kappa(-/-) background reduces mature B cell levels, and L chain-deficient (lambda(-/-)kappa(-/-)) mice attain a complete block in B cell development at the stage when L chain rearrangement, resulting in surface IgM expression, should be completed. L chain deficiency prevents B cell receptor association, and L chain function cannot be substituted (e.g., by surrogate L chain). Nevertheless, precursor cell levels, controlled by developmental progression and checkpoint apoptosis, are maintained, and B cell development in the bone marrow is fully retained up to the immature stage. L chain deficiency allows H chain retention in the cytoplasm, but prevents H chain release from the cell, and as a result secondary lymphoid organs are B cell depleted while T cell levels remain normal.
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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B-Lymphocytes / pathology
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Cell Differentiation / genetics
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Cell Differentiation / immunology
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Cytoplasm / genetics
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Cytoplasm / immunology
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Gene Deletion
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Gene Silencing / immunology
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Genetic Markers / immunology
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Immunoglobulin Constant Regions / genetics
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Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics
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Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / genetics*
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Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains / genetics*
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Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / genetics
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Lymphopenia / genetics
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Lymphopenia / immunology
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Lymphopenia / pathology
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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, Inbred CBA
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Mice, Transgenic
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Peptide Fragments / genetics
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Stem Cells / cytology*
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Stem Cells / immunology*
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Stem Cells / pathology
Substances
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Genetic Markers
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Immunoglobulin Constant Regions
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Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
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Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains
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Immunoglobulin lambda-Chains
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Immunoglobulin mu-Chains
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Peptide Fragments