CD79

Introduction
CD79 (Cluster of Differentiation 79) is a transmembrane protein that forms a complex with the B-cell receptor (BCR) and generates a signal following recognition of antigen by the BCR. CD79 is composed of two distinct chains called CD79A and CD79B (also known as Igα and Igβ); these form a heterodimer on the surface of a B cell stabilized by disulfide bonding. CD79a and CD79b are both members of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Human CD79a is encoded by the mb-1 gene that is located on chromosome 19, and CD79b is encoded by the B29 gene that located on chromosome 17. Both CD79 chains contain an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) in their intracellular tails that they use to propagate a signal in a B cell, in a similar manner to CD3-generated signal transduction observed during T cell receptor activation on T cells.

Function
CD79 serves to be a pan-B cell marker for the detection of B-cell neoplasms. However, tumor cells in some cases of T-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma and AML has shown to potentially react positively with CD79 monoclonal antibodies. In addition, both CD79 chains contain an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM), which some scientists have found to propagate downstream signaling in B-cells. CD79 has been tested as a B-cell target in MRL/lpr mice, a mouse model for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CD79, expressed by B-cell and plasma cell precursors is a candidate that induces apoptosis as well as inhibition of B-cell receptor (BCR) activation and possibly depletion of ectopic germinal centers (GC). However, research on CD79 still remains very open.

CD79 and BCR Signaling
Scientists identified mutations in the BCR coreceptor CD79A/B that lead to chronic activation of BCR signaling. Somatic mutations affecting the ITAM signaling modules of CD79B and CD79A were detected frequently in biopsy samples. Moreover, some researchers believe that CD79 may emerge as an alternative target for the treatment of B-cell-dependent autoimmunity. Hardy et al. found that upon an Ag-induced BCR aggregation, CD79 is phosphorylated and initiates a cascade of downstream signaling events. Hardy et al. further characterized an alternate mode of BCR signaling that is induced by chronic AgR stimulation and maintains a state of B cell unresponsiveness termed "anergy". Other studies that focused on the deficiencies observed in neonatal antibody production can be due to various intrinsic features such as B-cell immaturity, poor B-cell repertoire or reduced strength of BCR signaling. Activation of the BCR with T-cell-dependent (TD) or TI antigens induces cross-linking of surface Ig molecules and binding to the transmembrane protein CD79.