Induction of the c-myc protooncogene after antigen binding to hapten-specific B cells.

The stimulation of hapten-specific B cell populations with the thymus-dependent antigen, TNP-KLH, was found to induce elevated levels of c-myc mRNA by 2 h. A similar treatment with carrier protein alone did not elevate c-myc mRNA above the level seen in the nonstimulated, resting B cells. These results indicate that antigen binding to the sIg receptor, in the absence of Th cell involvement, directly signals the antigen-binding cell and implicates the active participation of sIg during the process of antigen-mediated B cell activation.