RAG2:GFP Knockin Mice Reveal Novel Aspects of RAG2 Expression in Primary and Peripheral Lymphoid Tissues

AbstractWe generated mice in which a functional RAG2:GFP fusion gene is knocked in to the endogenous RAG2 locus. In bone marrow and thymus, RAG2:GFP expression occurs in appropriate stages of developing B and T cells as well as in immature bone marrow IgM+ B cells. RAG2:GFP also is expressed in IgD+ B cells following cross-linking of IgM on immature IgM+IgD+ B cells generated in vitro. RAG2:GFP expression is undetectable in most immature splenic B cells; however, in young RAG2:GFP mice, there are substantial numbers of splenic RAG2:GFP+ cells that mostly resemble pre–B cells. The latter population decreases in size with age but reappears following immunization of older RAG2:GFP mice. We discuss the implications of these findings for current models of receptor assembly and diversification