The antigen receptor complex on cord B lymphocytes

SUMMARY The neonatal immune system responds to a restricted range of antigens, producing largely IgM antibody of low affinity. Comparison of the components of the B‐cell antigen receptor complex shows significantly elevated membrane levels of IgM in neonatal B cells, compared with adult cells. CD79, which acts as the signal transducer for membrane immunoglobulin, is elevated in parallel with IgM, while IgD is elevated to a lesser degree. CD19, CD21, CD22 and CD81, which are all involved in transmitting activation signals when immunoglobulin is engaged, are not elevated. CD32, which is involved in negative regulation of activation, is present at reduced levels on cord B cells. The elevation of B‐cell membrane IgM persists during infancy. Neonatal B cells respond in vitro to interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) by further elevation of membrane IgM levels. The elevated level of membrane IgM may make neonatal B cells easier to trigger by low concentrations of antigen, but in vitro activation and immunoglobulin modulation experiments did not show significant differences between cord and adult B‐cell responses to anti‐IgM.