Differential regulation of T‐cell dependent and T‐cell independent antibody responses through arginine methyltransferase PRMT1 in vivo

Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 ( PRMT 1), a major PRMT in mammalian cells, has been shown to play a crucial role in multiple biological functions in vitro . To explore the role of PRMT 1 in B cells in vivo , we generated B cell‐specific PRMT 1‐deficient ( Prmt1 −/− ) mice using a Cre‐loxP system. Prmt1 −/− mice showed a defect in B‐cell development with diminished levels of serum antibodies. Antibody responses in Prmt1 −/− mice were absent after stimulation with the type 2 T cell‐independent antigen NP ‐Ficoll but intact after stimulation with the T cell‐dependent antigen NP ‐ OVA . Our findings comprise the first evidence showing that PRMT 1 is necessary for lymphocyte functions in vivo .