CD19deficient mice were generated to examlne the role of CD18 in B cell growth regulation in vivo. Deletion of CD19 had no deleterious effects on the generation of 6 cells in the bone marrow, but there was a significant reduction in the number of B cells in peripheral lymphoid tissues. B cells from CD19-deficlent mice exhibited markedly decreased proliferative responses to mitogens, and serum immunoglobulin levels were also significantly decreased. In contrast, mice that overexpressed CD19 had significant defects in early B cell development in the bone marrow, augmented mitogenic responses, and increased serum immunoglobulin levels. These experiments indicate that CD19 functions to define signaling thresholds for cell surface receptors that regulate B lymphocyte selection, activation, and differentiation.