Both E12 and E47 allow commitment to the B cell lineage

Abstract

The E2A gene products, E12 and E47, are required for proper B cell development. Mice lacking the E2A gene products generate only a very small number of B220+ cells, which lack immunoglobulin DJ(H) rearrangements. We have now generated mice expressing either E12 or E47. B cell development in mice expressing E12 but lacking E47 is perturbed at the pro-B cell stage, and these mice lack IgM+B220+ B cells in both bone marrow and spleen. IgM+B220+ B cells can be detected, albeit at significantly reduced levels, in the bone marrow and spleen of mice lacking E12. Ectopic expression of both E12 and E47 in a null mutant background shows that E12 and E47 act in concert to promote B lineage development. Taken together, the data indicate that both E12 and E47 allow commitment to the B cell lineage and act synergistically to promote B lymphocyte maturation.