Analysis of an ethylnitrosourea-generated mouse mutation defines a cell intrinsic role of nuclear factor κB2 in regulating circulating B cell numbers

The number of circulating follicular B lymphocytes is normally kept within a precise range despite their dispersion through the body and daily overproduction of precursors in the bone marrow. By establishing a genome wide recessive mutation screen in C57BL/6 mice to identify critical components of immune system regulation, we identified a mutant strain with selective deficiency in recirculating B cells but not immature or peritoneal B1 cells. Analysis of mixed bone marrow chimeras established that the mutation affects a cell autonomous process within B cells that is required for their accumulation after emigrating to peripheral lymphoid organs. The defect is caused by a point mutation in the gene encoding transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)-κB2, terminating the encoded protein within the DNA-binding domain. These findings establish the feasibility of analyzing immune regulation by genome wide mutant screens and demonstrates an intrinsic requirement for NF-κB2 in regulating circulating follicular B cell numbers.