Bone marrow-induced Mef2c deficiency delays B-cell development and alters the expression of key B-cell regulatory proteins.

ABSTRACT: The Mef2 family transcriptional regulator Mef2c (myocyte enhancer factor 2c) is highly expressed in maturing bone marrow and peripheral mature B-cells. To evaluate the role of this transcription factor in B-cell development, we generated a B-cell-specific conditional deletion of Mef2c using the Mb-1-Cre transgene that is expressed during the early stages of immunoglobulin rearrangement. Young mice possessing this defect demonstrated a significant impairment in B-cell numbers in bone marrow and spleen. This phenotype was evident in all B-cell subsets; however, as the animals mature, the deficit in the peripheral mature B-cell compartments was overcome. The absence of Mef2c in mature B-cells led to unique CD23+ and CD23- subsets that were evident in Mef2c knockout primary samples as well as

SUBMITTER: Debnath I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3555695 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature