Anti-immunoglobulins 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 that co-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.