High Resolution Analysis of the Chromatin Landscape of the IgE Switch Region in Human B Cells
Author Information
Author(s): Dayal Sandeep, Nedbal Jakub, Hobson Philip, Cooper Alison M., Gould Hannah J., Gellert Martin, Felsenfeld Gary, Fear David J.
Primary Institution: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
Hypothesis
The study investigates the histone modifications that occur prior to class switch recombination to IgE in human B cells.
Conclusion
The study found that histone modifications associated with active chromatin are present in the IgE switch region, suggesting a permissive environment for class switch recombination.
Supporting Evidence
- Histone modifications were significantly increased in the IgE switch region upon stimulation with IL-4.
- The study utilized both a human B cell line and primary B cells to analyze chromatin changes.
- Distinct peaks of modified histones were found across the switch region, particularly at the splice donor site.
Takeaway
This study looks at how certain changes in the DNA packaging of B cells help them switch to making a type of antibody called IgE, which is important for allergic responses.
Methodology
The study used a combination of human B cell lines and primary B cells from tonsils, analyzing histone modifications and gene expression levels following stimulation with IL-4 and anti-CD40.
Limitations
The CL-01 cell line used in the study has lost the ability to undergo class switching, which may limit the analysis of the combined steps of immunoglobulin class switching.
Participant Demographics
Participants were children aged 2 to 14 with no history of asthma or allergies.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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