Cutting edge: polycomb gene expression patterns reflect distinct B cell differentiation stages in human germinal centers

J Immunol. 2000 Jan 1;164(1):1-4. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.1.1.

Abstract

Polycomb group (Pc-G) proteins regulate homeotic gene expression in Drosophila, mouse, and humans. Mouse Pc-G proteins are also essential for adult hematopoietic development and contribute to cell cycle regulation. We show that human Pc-G expression patterns correlate with different B cell differentiation stages and that they reflect germinal center (GC) architecture. The transition of resting mantle B cells to rapidly dividing Mib-1(Ki-67)+ follicular centroblasts coincides with loss of BMI-1 and RING1 Pc-G protein detection and appearance of ENX and EED Pc-G protein expression. By contrast, differentiation of centroblasts into centrocytes correlates with reappearance of BMI-1/RING1 and loss of ENX/EED and Mib-1 expression. The mutually exclusive expression of ENX/EED and BMI-1/RING1 reflects the differential composition of two distinct Pc-G complexes. The Pc-G expression profiles in various GC B cell differentiation stages suggest a role for Pc-G proteins in GC development.

MeSH terms

  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / immunology*
  • Genes, Homeobox / immunology*
  • Germinal Center / cytology
  • Germinal Center / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Repressor Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • BMI1 protein, human
  • Bmi1 protein, mouse
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • EED protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • RING1 protein, human
  • Ring1 protein, mouse