Btk function in B cell development and response

Mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) result in the B cell immunodeficiencies XLA in humans and Xid in mice. Both the maintenance of peripheral B cell numbers and their response to B cell antigen receptor (BCR) crosslinking depend on Btk. Btk integrates signals from multiple cell surface receptors, including BCR and G-protein coupled receptors. These Btk dependent signals control B cell proliferation and survival by mediating Ca2+ flux, activating JNK and p38 and inducing cell cycle regulatory genes.