The transcription factor Bright plays a role in marginal zone B lymphocyte development and autoantibody production

► The transcription factor Bright was over-expressed in murine B lineage cells. ► Bright over-expression skewed mature B cell development toward marginal zone cells. ► Bright transgenic mice produced autoantibodies. ► Autoantibody production was associated with numbers of marginal zone B cells. ► Transgenic follicular B cell gene expression resembled marginal zone B cells.