Signaling Pathway for the Development of Pre-B Cells

Abstract

Pre-B cells represent the immature stage of the B cell lineage and express genes for the pre-B cell receptor (preBCR). PreBCR consists of lambda 5 and VpreB and its expression elicits a rearrangement of the immunoglobulin heavy chain prior to rearrangement of the immunoglobulin light chain. The lambda 5 and VpreB form a surrogate light chain, which is a premature type of light chain immunoglobulin. PreBCR may cooperate or interact with the IL-7 receptor, which contributes to pre-B cell development. The preBCR distal signaling pathway recruits several adaptor proteins and protein kinases. This review aims to illustrate the framework of the signaling pathway that contributes to B cell lineage development and reconsiders the relationship between the preBCR and IL-7 receptors.