Gene expression signatures for murine B cells from tumor-draining lymph nodes

To determine the influence of primary tumors on pre-metastatic lymph nodes, we have employed whole genome microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify gene signatures of B cells from tumor-draining lymph nodes, compared with normal lymph nodes. We subcutaneously inoculated C57BL/6 mice with the 4T1 mammary carcinoma. Two weeks later, tumor-draining lymph nodes were dissociated and B cells (CD19+) were sorted. Lymph nodes B cells from normal mice without tumor bearing were set as controls. Primary tumor induced gene expression in B cells from tumor-draining lymph nodes was measured at 2 weeks after tumor inoculation subcutaneously. Lymph node B cells from normal mice without tumor bearing were set as controls.