Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells
Published on: January 20, 2019
c-Myb is critical for B cell development and maintenance of follicular B cells
Matthew D Thomas1, Christopher S Kremer, Kodi S Ravichandran
1Department of Microbiology, P.O. Box 800734, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
The c-Myb transcription factor is crucial during definitive hematopoiesis. However, the embryonic lethality of Myb traditional null mutations has precluded analysis of c-Myb function in lymphocytes. Using tissue-specific inactivation at the Myb locus, we demonstrate that loss of Myb causes a partial block during B cell development at the pro-B to pre-B cell transition, resulting in greatly decreased output of new B cells from the bone marrow. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Myb is not essential for the proliferation of splenic B cells, but that loss of c-Myb function prevents normal B cell homeostasis due to decreased splenic B cell survival. Decreased survival is accompanied by hyporesponsiveness to the B cell survival factor BLyS (also termed BAFF), decreased expression of the BLyS receptor 3 (BR3), and altered regulation of PKCdelta nuclear accumulation. Thus, c-Myb is important during multiple stages of B-lymphopoiesis.
The c-Myb transcription factor is crucial during definitive hematopoiesis. However, the embryonic lethality of Myb traditional null mutations has precluded analysis of c-Myb function in lymphocytes. Using tissue-specific inactivation at the Myb locus, we demonstrate that loss of Myb causes a partial block during B cell development at the pro-B to pre-B cell transition, resulting in greatly decreased output of new B cells from the bone marrow. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Myb is not essential for the proliferation of splenic B cells, but that loss of c-Myb function prevents normal B cell homeostasis due to decreased splenic B cell survival. Decreased survival is accompanied by hyporesponsiveness to the B cell survival factor BLyS (also termed BAFF), decreased expression of the BLyS receptor 3 (BR3), and altered regulation of PKCdelta nuclear accumulation. Thus, c-Myb is important during multiple stages of B-lymphopoiesis.
Related Concept Videos
Abnormal Proliferation
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

