He. Fleming et Cj. Paige, Pre-B cell receptor signaling mediates selective response to IL-7 at the pro-B to pre-B cell transition via an ERK/MAP kinase-dependent pathway, IMMUNITY, 15(4), 2001, pp. 521-531
B lymphocyte development is regulated at multiple checkpoints, mediated by
signals originating both inside and outside the cell. Two signaling pathway
s known to be essential in this process are interleukin-7 (IL-7) and the pr
e-B cell receptor (pBCR). We have shown previously that these signaling pat
hways intersect functionally. Specifically, response to low concentrations
of IL-7 requires pBCR expression. In this report, we identify the ERK/MAP k
inase pathway as a key regulatory component of this response. We propose a
molecular mechanism for the selective expansion of pBCR(+) precursors and f
or the culling of inappropriately rearranged pro-B cells.