The c-kit-encoded tyrosine kinase regulates the proliferation of early pre-B cells.

A monoclonal antibody (mAb; ACK2) recognizing the extracellular domains of the c-kit-encoded tyrosine kinase has been employed to demonstrate that c-kit is involved in B lymphocyte development. The c-kit-encoded tyrosine kinase is expressed on the surface of normal DHJH-rearranged murine pre-B cell clones which proliferate continuously at that stage in vitro on stromal cells and in the presence of recombinant interleukin 7. These pre-B cell clones, capable of differentiation to surface immunoglobulin-positive B cells in vitro and in vivo, are inhibited by the mAb in their proliferation while remaining capable of differentiation to surface immunoglobulin-positive B cells. Stimulation of mature B cells by mitogens is unimpaired by the mAb. This indicates that c-kit regulates early antigen-independent, but not late antigen-dependent, B cell development.