The role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase in B-cell development and function: agenetic perspective

Mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) result in the B-cell immunodefi ciencies X-linked agammaglobulinemia in humans and X-linked immunodeficienc y in mice. These diseases are characterized by blocks in B-cell development at multiple stages and impaired function of residual mature B cells, This review focuses on a series of in vivo generic studies that have begun to de fine the mechanism by which Btk regulates B-cell development and function. The functional interactions between Btk and other signaling molecules defin ed by this approach are more complex than initially appreciated from in vit ro biochemical and cell culture studies.