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J. Exp. Med.,
Volume 187, Number 2, January 19, 1998 147-159
B/p52 Present with
Defects in Humoral Responses, Germinal Center Reactions,
and Splenic Microarchitecture
By



* Laboratory of Immunoregulation, and p52 is a subunit of nuclear factor (NF)-
Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases, and § Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892;
Division of
Hematologic Products, and ¶ Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Center for Biological Evaluation
and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; ** Pathology/
Histotechnology Laboratory, Science Applications International Corporation and National Cancer
Institute, Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center, Frederick, Maryland 21702
B transcription factors, most closely related to p50.
Previously, we have shown that p52, but not p50 homodimers can form transactivating complexes when associated with Bcl-3, an unusual member of the I
B family. To determine nonredundant physiologic roles of p52, we generated mice deficient in p52. Null mutant mice
were impaired in their ability to generate antibodies to T-dependent antigens, consistent with
an absence of B cell follicles and follicular dendritic cell networks in secondary lymphoid organs, and an inability to form germinal centers. Furthermore, the splenic marginal zone was
disrupted. These phenotypes are largely overlapping with those observed in Bcl-3 knockout
animals, but distinct from those of p50 knockouts, supporting the notion of a physiologically
relevant complex of p52 homodimers and Bcl-3. Adoptive transfer experiments further suggest
that such a complex may be critical in accessory cell functions during antigen-specific immune
reactions. Possible roles of p52 and Bcl-3 are discussed that may underlie the oncogenic potential of these proteins, as evidenced by recurrent chromosomal translocations of their genes in
lymphoid tumors.
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