ANTIIMMUNOGLOBULINS INDUCE DEATH BY APOPTOSIS IN WEHI-231 B-LYMPHOMA CELLS

Anti‐membrane immunoglobulin (anti‐mIg) antibodies exert inhibitory effects in immature B lymphocytes such as WEHI‐231 cells. We show here that anti‐mIg treatment causes DNA fragmentation (apoptosis) in these cells. We also report thatco‐treatment with the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate prevents apoptosis induced by anti‐mIg. These results are in agreement with our initial proposal that sensitivity to the toxic effects of anti‐mIg reflects, at least partially, altered signal transduction in immature B lymphocytes. Variations in signal transduction pathways during B lymphocyte ontogeny may, therefore, play a critical role in determining whether B cells should be activated or inhibited via their mIg. Copyright © 1990 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim