CD45 links the B cell receptor with cell survival and is required for the persistence of germinal centers

Abstract

To segregate the many contributions that B cell receptor (BCR)-mediated signals make to immune responses, we have analyzed here B cells deficient in the 'pan-leukocyte' marker CD45. BCR ligation of Cd45-I- B cells failed to activate phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase, NF-κB, Erk1 or Erk2 kinases or to upregulate cell survival proteins and instead induced apoptosis. Immunization of Cd45-I- B cell chimeras induced germinal centers and antigen-specific immunoglobulin G1 antibody-forming cells early, but both cellular compartments decreased by day 14. Proliferation of Cd45-I- B cells induced by CD40 ligand in vitro was impaired as a result of abrogation by BCR ligation of the upregulation of prosu..