WEHI-231 cells are defective in the ligand-induced internalization of B cell antigen receptor

Backgorund: WEHI-231 B cell line is a representative model for $IgM^+$ mature B cells. To understand the signaling differences between mature and immature B cells, we compared the responsiveness of WEHI-231 and Bal 17 B cell lines to BCR cross-linking. Methods: The extents of tyrosine phosphorylation, ligand-induced internalization, and activation-induced cell death upon BCR cross-linking were compared in two cell lines. Results: Despite a higher expression of BCR, cross-linking of BCR on WEHI-231 cell evoked a weaker level of tyrosine phosphorylation and BCR endocytosis than Bal 17 cells. Furthermore, the endocytosed BCR could not enter the lysosomal compartment and stayed as peripheral spots in WEHI-231 cells. Conclusion: WEHI-231 cell showed preferred BCR-mediated signaling pathways leading to a reduced capability of antigen presentation as well as the enhanced apoptosis in comparision with Bal 17 cells. These results might reflect the signaling differences between mature and immature B cells.