The proto-oncogene MYC is required for selection in the germinal center and cyclic reentry

Abstract

Upon antigenic challenge, B cells enter the dark-zone (DZ) of germinal-centers (GC) to proliferate and hypermutate their immunoglobulin genes. Mutants with increased affinity are positively selected in the light-zone (LZ) to either differentiate into plasma and memory cells, or re-enter the DZ. The molecular circuits governing GC positive selection are not known. We show that the GC reaction requires the biphasic regulation of c-MYC expression, involving its transient induction during early GC commitment, its repression by BCL6 in DZ B cells, and its re-induction in B cells selected for DZ re-entry. Inhibition of MYC in vivo leads to GC collapse, indicating an essential role in GCs. These results have implications for the mechanism of GC selection and the role of MYC in lymphomagenesis.