Abstract
IN BALB/c mice, surface immunoglobulin (Ig)-bearing B lymphocytes are first detectable by immunofluorescence at 17 d gestation in the liver and spleen1. Explants of 14-d foetal liver1 and spleen2, and 15-d bone marrow (our unpublished observations), have been shown to generate Ig-bearing B cells in vitro after 4–7 d of culture, suggesting that B lymphocytes normally develop multifocally in the haemopoietic tissues of mice. We have used direct immunofluorescence to demonstrate cells with intracellular IgM and no detectable surface Ig in mouse foetal liver as early as 12 d gestation. Our results suggest that B lymphocyte precursors synthesise IgM several days before they incorporate these molecules into their plasma membranes as cell-surface receptors for antigen.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Owen, J. J. T., Cooper, M. D., and Raff, M. C., Nature, 249, 361–363 (1974).
Owen, J. J. T., Raff, M. C., and Cooper, M. D., Eur. J. Immun. (in the press).
Lawton, A. R., Asofsky, R., Hylton, M. B., and Cooper, M. D., J. exp. Med., 15, 277–286, (1972).
Kearney, J. F., and Lawton, A. R., J. Immun., 115, 671–676 (1975).
Raff, M. C., et al., J. exp. Med., 142, 1052–1064 (1975).
Raff, M. C., Immunology, 19, 637–650 (1970).
Taylor, R. B., Duffus, W. P. H., Raff, M. C., and de Petris, S., Nature new Biol., 233, 225–229 (1971).
Osmond, D. G., and Nossal, G. V. J., Cell Immun., 13, 132–145 (1974).
Ryser, J. E., and Vassalli, P., J. Immun., 113, 719–728 (1974).
Stobo, J. D., Rosenthal, A. S., and Paul, W. E., J. exp. Med., 138, 71–78 (1973).
Melchers, F., Von Boehmer, H., and Phillips, R. A., Transplant. Rev., 25, 26–58 (1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
RAFF, M., MEGSON, M., OWEN, J. et al. Early production of intracellular IgM by B-lymphocyte precursors in mouse. Nature 259, 224–226 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/259224a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/259224a0
This article is cited by
-
Cellular reprogramming is driven by widespread rewiring of promoter-enhancer interactions
BMC Biology (2023)
-
The early history of B cells
Nature Reviews Immunology (2015)
-
Microbial colonization influences early B-lineage development in the gut lamina propria
Nature (2013)
-
The P4-type ATPase ATP11C is essential for B lymphopoiesis in adult bone marrow
Nature Immunology (2011)
-
Fetal B-cell lymphopoiesis and the emergence of B-1-cell potential
Nature Reviews Immunology (2007)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
