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Apoptosis and its modulation during B lymphopoiesis in mouse bone marrow
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Immunological Reviews
|August 10, 2000
Summary
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial in B-cell development within bone marrow. Its regulation impacts B-cell numbers, immune function, and diseases like cancer.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Apoptosis plays a critical role in B lymphopoiesis, the development of B lymphocytes in the bone marrow.
- Understanding the regulation of programmed cell death is essential for comprehending B-cell development and homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and regulation of apoptotic cell death during B lymphopoiesis in mice.
- To quantify apoptotic activity in different precursor B-cell populations and identify factors influencing it.
Main Methods:
- Utilized studies in normal, gene-deleted, transgenic, and mutant mice.
- Quantified apoptotic activity in phenotypically defined precursor B-cell populations using flow cytometry.
- Employed an established model of B-cell development and short-term cell culture.
Main Results:
- Apoptotic index and rate were maximal at the pro/pre-B-cell transition and in immature B lymphocytes.
- Pro-B-cell apoptosis was suppressed in the absence of p53, while pre-B-cell apoptosis was modulated by various factors including IL-7, Abl protooncogene, and CSF-1.
- Apoptosis-modulating factors, such as CSF-1 and melatonin, influenced pre-B-cell apoptosis, potentially via stromal cell stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Apoptotic cell death is a tightly regulated process during B lymphopoiesis, with distinct patterns at different developmental stages.
- Modulation of apoptosis impacts B-cell homeostasis, quality control, and has implications for immunodeficiency and neoplasia.
- Specific factors and genetic alterations can significantly alter apoptotic activity, providing insights into B-cell development and related diseases.
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