The Role of BCR Isotype in B-Cell Development and Activation

• Published in: Advances in Immunology Vol. 123; pp. 101 - 139
• Main Authors: Surova, Elena, Jumaa, Hassan
• Format: Book Chapter Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Science & Technology 2014
• Subjects: Animals; Autoreactivity; B-cell development; B-Lymphocyte Subsets - classification; B-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; B-Lymphocyte Subsets - metabolism; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Cell Differentiation - immunology; Heavy-chain isotype; Humans; Immunoglobulin; Immunoglobulin delta-Chains - classification; Immunoglobulin delta-Chains - genetics; Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains - classification; Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains - genetics; Immunoglobulin Isotypes - classification; Immunoglobulin Isotypes - genetics; Immunoglobulin mu-Chains - classification; Immunoglobulin mu-Chains - genetics; Lymphocyte Activation - genetics; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell - classification; Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell - immunology; Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell - metabolism; B-cell development; Immunoglobulin; Autoreactivity; Heavy-chain isotype
• ISBN: 0128002662; 9780128002667
• ISSN: 0065-2776; 1557-8445
• DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-800266-7.00003-0

The development and function of B lymphocytes critically depend on the non-germline B-cell antigen receptor (BCR). In addition to the diverse antigen-recognition regions, whose coding sequences are generated by the somatic DNA rearrangement, the variety of the constant domains of the Heavy Chain (HC) portion contributes to the multiplicity of the BCR types. The functions of particular classes of the HC, particularly in the context of the membrane BCR, are not completely understood. The expression of the various classes of the HC correlates with the distinct stages of B-cell development, types of B-cell subsets, and their effector functions. In this chapter, we summarize and discuss the accumulated knowledge on the role of the μ, δ, and γ HC isotypes of the conventional and precursor BCR in B-cell differentiation, selection, and engagement with (auto)antigens.