Molecular events in B lymphocyte activation: Consequences of signals transduced through MHC class ii molecules

Evidence is presented to demonstrate that murine B lymphocytes receive growth stimulatory signals from their surface class II molecules. Monoclonal anti-la antibodies enhanced anti-μ-induced B cell proliferative response. The signals through surface immunoglobulin (Ig) and Ia appeared to act sequentially since preexposure to anti-μ was required to observe anti-la-induced increase in B cell proliferation. Anti-Ia antibodies did not increase the number of B cells entering the G₁ phase of cell cycle but always enhanced transition from G₁ into the S phase in response to stimulation with anti-μ. Analysis of early gene expression revealed that signaling through class II molecules led to an increase in anti-μ-induced expression of c-myc, a proto-oncogene, and of ornithine decarboxylase, a key enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis that has been shown to be intimately related to increased cell proliferation.