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Involvement of the E2A basic helix-loop-helix protein in immunoglobulin heavy chain class switching
A N Goldfarb1, J P Flores, K Lewandowska
1Institute of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4943, USA.
Molecular Immunology
|August 1, 1996
Summary
The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor E2A is crucial for B cell development. New findings indicate E2A also regulates immunoglobulin heavy chain class switching in mature B cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor E2A is essential for early B cell development.
- E2A's role in later B cell maturation, specifically immunoglobulin heavy chain class switching, is suggested by its expression patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of E2A in immunoglobulin heavy chain class switching.
- To determine if the inhibitory HLH protein Id1 can block class switching.
Main Methods:
- Expression of the inhibitory HLH protein Id1 in B cell lines undergoing class switching.
- Analysis of immunoglobulin heavy chain germline transcription and cell cycling.
- Assessment of spontaneous and cytokine-inducible class switching.
Main Results:
- Forced expression of Id1 in B cell lines blocked immunoglobulin heavy chain class switching.
- Id1 blockade of class switching was independent of immunoglobulin heavy chain germline transcription or cell cycling.
- Id1 inhibited both spontaneous and, to a lesser extent, cytokine-inducible class switching.
Conclusions:
- E2A plays a significant role in the process of immunoglobulin heavy chain class switching.
- The inhibitory protein Id1 can effectively block class switching in B cells.