Epigenetic events during B lymphocyte development

Abstract

The generation of B cells is the result of several cell lineage choices, cell commitment and differentiation. These cellular transitions take place in a stepwise manner and are regulated at the transcriptional level. In recent years, investigators working in this field have made significant advances towards understanding the contribution of transcription factors during B lymphopoiesis. They have established the existence of transcription factor networks that are essential for the proper establishment and maintenance of the B cell lineage. As is the case for other developmental processes, emerging evidence demonstrates that B cell development is also regulated at the epigenetic level and that such regulation may act in concert with transcription factors. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge concerning the epigenetic events that contribute to B lymphopoiesis. © 2009 Landes Bioscience.