Knockout B lymphoma cell lines as biochemical tools to explore multiple signalling pathways

Abstract

Studies on B lymphocyte signalling pathways using B lymphocytes from genetically modified mice have the disadvantages of primary cell polyclonality and finite life span. B lymphoma cell lines have been generated from mice with targeted mutations in the oct-2, OBF-1, vav-1 and btk genes, as a model system that lacks these limitations and possesses additional potential for experimental manipulation. To assess their utility, activation of the B cell receptor using anti-μ, the Toll-like receptor-4 using lipopolysaccharide and the interleukin-4 receptor were assessed in these cell lines. Differential tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins was measured in the wild-type controls compare..