Impaired Ca2+ mobilization by X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) B cells in response to ligation of the B cell receptor (BCR).

XLA bone marrow samples were shown to contain B cells expressing IgM, and pre-B cells that express the mu-surrogate light chain (mu psiLC) complex, albeit at a reduced frequency to that found in normal bone marrow. Antibody ligation of mu heavy chain on these cells and an XLA B cell line did not induce a Ca2+ flux, whereas ligation of mu heavy chain on normal bone marrow cells, mu psiLC+ pre-B cell lines and an IgM+ B cell line did. The block in XLA B cells was not due to a defect in the basic mechanism of Ca2+ flux generation, as the cells responded well to thapsigargin. In addition, the defect did not affect T cells, which were shown to respond to CD3 antibody with a Ca2+ flux. Ligation of mu heavy chain on XLA bone marrow cells did, however, activate tyrosine kinases, resulting in tyrosine phosphorylation of a cellular protein with a molecular weight of approximately 115 kD. These results indicate that Btk may be necessary for the generation of the Ca2+ flux in response to ligation of mu heavy chain on B cells and mu psiLC+ pre-B.

The protein defective in X-linked agammaglobulinemia, Bruton's tyrosine kinase, shows increased autophosphorylation activity in vitro when isolated from cells in which the B cell receptor has been cross-linked.

X-linked agammaglobulinemia is a primary inherited immunodeficiency resulting in a lack of or dramatic reduction in the number of mature B lymphocytes and, thus, greatly reduced levels of serum immunoglobulin. The defect results from mutations in the gene for Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk). Using rabbit antisera generated against Btk, we have demonstrated an increase in the level of in vitro kinase activity present in anti-Btk immunoprecipitates from B cells following stimulation with anti-immunoglobulin antibody. This increase in immune complex kinase activity is detectable 1 to 2 min following stimulation and remains elevated for over 30 min. A similar increase was not seen with two late pre-B cell lines investigated in the same way. This stimulation of activity may suggest a role for Btk in signalling through the B cell receptor or associated proteins, in mature B cells.

Expression of Bruton's tyrosine kinase protein within the B cell lineage.

Defects in the gene encoding Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), normally expressed in B cells, cause X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). The phenotype of XLA is characterized by a lack of circulating B cells and immunoglobulin. It has been suggested that B cell maturation from the pre-B cell stage to more mature stages is dependent on the appropriate expression of this gene. The Btk mRNA is expressed in B cells and myeloid cells, but protein expression in relation to B cell maturation has not been determined. Moreover, expression of the Btk protein has so far only been investigated in human Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines, and in murine splenocytes and B cell lines. We have developed an antiserum which recognizes the human Btk protein and shown that normal human tonsillar B cells, peripheral blood monocytes and myeloid cells express the protein, whereas tonsil-derived T cells do not. We also show that the protein is present in early and mature human B cell lines, but is absent in terminally differentiated plasma cell lines. Furthermore, expression is reduced or absent in three B lineage cell lines derived from two patients with defined genetic mutations in Btk and suffering from XLA.