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. 1990 Jul 1;172(1):375–378. doi: 10.1084/jem.172.1.375

Interleukin 4 induces changes in the chromatin structure of the gamma 1 switch region in resting B cells before switch recombination

PMCID: PMC2188184  PMID: 2358783

Abstract

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) can induce the expression of IgG1 in sIgG- murine B cells stimulated with mitogens or through a cognate interaction with T helper (Th) cells. We have investigated the molecular basis for the IL-4-induced switch to IgG1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine B cells and have previously shown that IL-4 induces transcription of the gamma 1 switch region before switch recombination. We now demonstrate that IL-4 induces a DNase I hypersensitive site at the 5' end of the gamma 1 switch region in resting B cells. LPS is not required, but it enhances induction. Hence, the interaction of IL-4 with its receptor results in increased accessibility of the gamma 1 switch region. The more open chromatin structure and increased transcriptional activity may be important in the selection of this region for switch recombination.

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Selected References

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