Invariant chain induces B cell maturation in a process that is independent of its chaperonic activity.

Early stages of B cell development take place in the bone marrow, resulting in formation of immature B cells, which migrate to the spleen for their final differentiation into mature cells. This final maturation step is essential for B cells to become responsive to antigens and to participate in the immune response. Previously, we showed that the MHC class II chaperone, invariant chain (Ii), controls the differentiation of B cells from the immature to the mature stage. In this study, by generating transgenic mice expressing truncated Ii lacking its luminal domain, we could dissect the chaperonin activity of Ii from its role in B cell maturation. We demonstrate in vivo that Ii N-terminal domain is directly involved in the maturation of B cells and is sufficient to promote B cell differentiation.