Gene microarray experiments on RNA samples isolated from murine B cells

This laboratory studies 1) enzymes which are involved in selectin ligand formation in leukocytes, 2) how expression of those enzymes is controlled, and 3) basic cell biology of FucT-VII. B cells vs. plasma cells. Study of primary IgG plasma cells. Plasma cells constitute the final stage of B-cell differentiation, and their migration from the lymph nodes and spleen to bone marrow is thought to be an important step in the maintenance of a long-term antibody response to a pathogen. Dr. Kansas has purified primary IgG plasma cells from E-selectin/P-selectin double knockout mice by a negative selection technique and compared their gene expression profile to that of murine B cells using Affymetrix murine oligonucleotide microarray analysis. Highly distinct gene expression profiles were revealed (see Underhill GH et al, Blood. 2003;101:4013-4021). As a follow-up to that experiment, the same probes (in triplicate) derived from primary murine IgG plasma cells and normal B cells were used to probe Glyco-gene Chips. As a follow-up to that experiment, the same probes (in triplicate) derived from primary murine IgG plasma cells and normal B cells were used to probe Glyco-gene Chips.