CD22 regulates B cell receptor-mediated signals via two domains that independently recruit Grb2 and SHP-1

Siglecs as potential targets of therapy in human mast cell- and/or eosinophil-associated diseases

Siglecs (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins) are a family of vertebrate glycan-binding cell-surface proteins. The majority mediate cellular inhibitory activity once engaged by specific ligands or ligand-mimicking molecules. As a result, Siglec engagement is now of interest as a strategy to therapeutically dampen unwanted cellular responses. When considering allergic inflammation, human eosinophils and mast cells express overlapping but distinct patterns of Siglecs. For example, Siglec-6 is selectively and prominently expressed on mast cells while Siglec-8 is highly specific for both eosinophils and mast cells. This review will focus on a subset of Siglecs and their various endogenous or synthetic sialoside ligands that regulate eosinophil and mast cell function and survival. It will also summarize how certain Siglecs have become the focus of novel therapies for allergic and other eosinophil- and mast cell-related diseases.

Targeting N-linked Glycosylation for the Therapy of Aggressive Lymphomas

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be subdivided into the activated B-cell (ABC) and germinal center B cell-like (GCB) subtypes. Self-antigen engagement of B-cell receptors (BCR) in ABC tumors induces their clustering, thereby initiating chronic active signaling and activation of NF-κB and PI3 kinase. Constitutive BCR signaling is essential in some GCB tumors but primarily activates PI3 kinase. We devised genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screens to identify regulators of IRF4, a direct transcriptional target of NF-κB and an indicator of proximal BCR signaling in ABC DLBCL. Unexpectedly, inactivation of N-linked protein glycosylation by the oligosaccharyltransferase-B (OST-B) complex reduced IRF4 expression. OST-B inhibition of BCR glycosylation reduced BCR clustering and internalization while promoting its association with CD22, which attenuated PI3 kinase and NF-κB activation. By directly interfering with proximal BCR signaling, OST-B inactivation killed models of ABC and GCB DLBCL, supporting the development of selective OST-B inhibitors for the treatment of these aggressive cancers.

SIGNIFICANCE

DLBCL depends on constitutive BCR activation and signaling. There are currently no therapeutics that target the BCR directly and attenuate its pathologic signaling. Here, we unraveled a therapeutically exploitable, OST-B-dependent glycosylation pathway that drives BCR organization and proximal BCR signaling. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1749.

Bryostatin Activates CAR T-Cell Antigen-Non-Specific Killing (CTAK), and CAR-T NK-Like Killing for Pre-B ALL, While Blocking Cytolysis of a Burkitt Lymphoma Cell Line

The advent of CAR-T cell therapy has changed the face of clinical care for relapsed and refractory pre-B-acute lymphocytic leukemia (B-ALL) and lymphoma. Although curative responses are reported, long-term cures remain below 50%. Different CAR T-cell leukemia targets appear to have different mechanisms of CAR-T escape. For CD22, therapeutic evasion is linked to down-modulation of the number CD22 proteins expressed on the extracellular aspect of the leukemia cell plasma membrane. Recently, pharmacologic agents known to induce cellular differentiation or epigenetic modification of leukemia have been shown to impact CD22 and CD19 expression levels on B-ALL, and thereby increase sensitivity to CAR-T mediated cytolysis. We explored the impact of epigenetic modifiers and differentiation agents on leukemia cell lines of B cell origin, as well as normal B cells. We confirmed the activity of bryostatin to increase CD22 expression on model cell lines. However, bryostatin does not change CD22 levels on normal B cells. Furthermore, bryostatin inhibited CAR-T mediated cytolysis of the Raji Burkitt lymphoma cell line. Bryostatin increased the cytolysis by CD22 CAR-T for B-ALL cell lines by at least three mechanisms: 1) the previously reported increase in CD22 target cell numbers on the cell surface, 2) the induction of NK ligands, and 3) the induction of ligands that sensitize leukemia cells to activated T cell antigen-non-specific killing. The opposite effect was seen for Burkitt lymphoma, which arises from a more mature B cell lineage. These findings should caution investigators against a universal application of agents shown to increase killing of leukemia target cells by CAR-T in a specific disease class, and highlights that activation of non-CAR-mediated killing by activated T cells may play a significant role in the control of disease. We have termed the killing of leukemia targets, by a set of cell-surface receptors that does not overlap with NK-like killing “CTAK,” CAR-T Cell antigen-non-specific killing.

Acute Csk inhibition hinders B cell activation by constraining the PI3 kinase pathway

B lymphocytes recognize pathogenic antigens and become activated via their B cell receptors (BCR). This BCR-dependent activation is controlled by Src-family kinases (SFKs). It is unclear how B cells tolerate the fluctuations of SFK activities and maintain unresponsiveness in the absence of foreign antigens. Using a chemical-genetic system, we acutely inhibited C-terminal Src kinase to enhance the SFK activity in mouse B cells. Surprisingly, we observed marked inhibition of BCR-downstream signaling due to associated impairment of the phosphatidylinositol-trisphosphate pathway. These results reveal the critical importance of maintaining a proper amount of SFK activity in quiescent B cells for appropriate BCR-dependent responses, which may be critical for naïve B cell unresponsiveness to self-antigens to maintain peripheral tolerance.

T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling are initiated and tightly regulated by Src-family kinases (SFKs). SFKs positively regulate TCR signaling in naïve T cells but have both positive and negative regulatory roles in BCR signaling in naïve B cells. The proper regulation of their activities depends on the opposing actions of receptor tyrosine phosphatases CD45 and CD148 and the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase C-terminal Src kinase Csk. Csk is a major negative regulator of SFKs. Using a PP1-analog-sensitive Csk (Csk^AS) system, we have previously shown that inhibition of Csk^AS increases SFK activity, leading to augmentation of responses to weak TCR stimuli in T cells. However, the effects of Csk inhibition in B cells were not known. In this study, we surprisingly found that inhibition of Csk^AS led to marked inhibition of BCR-stimulated cytoplasmic free calcium increase and Erk activation despite increased SFK activation in B cells, contrasting the effects observed in T cells. Further investigation revealed that acute Csk^AS inhibition suppressed BCR-mediated phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) production in B cells. Restoring PIP3 levels in B cells by CD19 cross-linking or SHIP1 deficiency eliminated the negative regulatory effect of Csk^AS inhibition. This reveals the critical role of Csk in maintaining an appropriate level of SFK activity and regulating PIP3 amounts as a means of compensating for SFK fluctuations to prevent inappropriate B cell activation. This regulatory mechanism controlling PIP3 amounts may also contribute to B cell anergy and self-tolerance.

Quantitative proteomics identifies PTP1B as modulator of B cell antigen receptor signaling

This study analyses the function of the protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B identifying its binding partners and dephosphorylation targets for modulating B cell antigen receptor signaling.

B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling is initiated by protein kinases and limited by counteracting phosphatases that currently are less well studied in their regulation of BCR signaling. Here, we used the B cell line Ramos to identify and quantify human B cell signaling components. Specifically, a protein tyrosine phosphatase profiling revealed a high expression of the protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in Ramos and human naïve B cells. The loss of PTP1B leads to increased B cell activation. Through substrate trapping in combination with quantitative mass spectrometry, we identified 22 putative substrates or interactors of PTP1B. We validated Igα, CD22, PLCγ1/2, CBL, BCAP, and APLP2 as specific substrates of PTP1B in Ramos B cells. The tyrosine kinase BTK and the two adaptor proteins GRB2 and VAV1 were identified as direct binding partners and potential substrates of PTP1B. We showed that PTP1B dephosphorylates the inhibitory receptor protein CD22 at phosphotyrosine 807. We conclude that PTP1B negatively modulates BCR signaling by dephosphorylating distinct phosphotyrosines in B cell-specific receptor proteins and various downstream signaling components.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibition induces rewiring of proximal and distal B-cell receptor signaling in mice

Bruton′s tyrosine kinase (Btk) is a crucial signaling molecule in BCR signaling and a key regulator of B‐ cell differentiation and function. Btk inhibition has shown impressive clinical efficacy in various B‐cell malignancies. However, it remains unknown whether inhibition additionally induces changes in BCR signaling due to feedback mechanisms, a phenomenon referred to as BCR rewiring. In this report, we studied the impact of Btk activity on major components of the BCR signaling pathway in mice. As expected, NF‐κB and Akt/S6 signaling was decreased in Btk‐deficient B cells. Unexpectedly, phosphorylation of several proximal signaling molecules, including CD79a, Syk, and PI3K, as well as the key Btk‐effector PLCγ2 and the more downstream kinase Erk, were significantly increased. This pattern of BCR rewiring was essentially opposite in B cells from transgenic mice overexpressing Btk. Importantly, prolonged Btk inhibitor treatment of WT mice or mice engrafted with leukemic B cells also resulted in increased phosho‐CD79a and phospho‐PLCγ2 in B cells. Our findings show that Btk enzymatic function determines phosphorylation of proximal and distal BCR signaling molecules in B cells. We conclude that Btk inhibitor treatment results in rewiring of BCR signaling, which may affect both malignant and healthy B cells.

CD22 Controls Germinal Center B Cell Receptor Signaling, Which Influences Plasma Cell and Memory B Cell Output

Germinal center reactions are established during a thymus-dependent immune response. Germinal center (GC) B cells are rapidly proliferating and undergo somatic hypermutation in Ab genes. This results in the production of high-affinity Abs and establishment of long-lived memory cells. GC B cells show lower BCR-induced signaling when compared with naive B cells, but the functional relevance is not clear. CD22 is a member of the Siglec family and functions as an inhibitory coreceptor on B cells. Interestingly, GC B cells downregulate sialic acid forms that serve as high-affinity ligands for CD22, indicating a role for CD22 ligand binding during GC responses. We studied the role of CD22 in the GC with mixed bone marrow chimeric mice and found a disadvantage of CD22^-/- GC B cells during the GC reaction. Mechanistic investigations ruled out defects in dark zone/light zone distribution and affinity maturation. Rather, an increased rate of apoptosis in CD22^-/- GC B cells was responsible for the disadvantage, also leading to a lower GC output in plasma cells and memory B cells. CD22^-/- GC B cells showed a clearly increased calcium response upon BCR stimulation, which was almost absent in wild-type GC B cells. We conclude that the differential expression of the low-affinity cis CD22 ligands in the GC normally results in a strong attenuation of BCR signaling in GC B cells, probably due to higher CD22-BCR interactions. Therefore, attenuation of BCR signaling by CD22 is involved in GC output and B cell fate.

Putting the brakes on phagocytosis: "don't-eat-me" signaling in physiology and disease

Timely removal of dying or pathogenic cells by phagocytes is essential to maintaining host homeostasis. Phagocytes execute the clearance process with high fidelity while sparing healthy neighboring cells, and this process is at least partially regulated by the balance of "eat-me" and "don't-eat-me" signals expressed on the surface of host cells. Upon contact, eat-me signals activate "pro-phagocytic" receptors expressed on the phagocyte membrane and signal to promote phagocytosis. Conversely, don't-eat-me signals engage "anti-phagocytic" receptors to suppress phagocytosis. We review the current knowledge of don't-eat-me signaling in normal physiology and disease contexts where aberrant don't-eat-me signaling contributes to pathology.

The Roles of Siglec7 and Siglec9 on Natural Killer Cells in Virus Infection and Tumour Progression

The function of natural killer (NK) cells, defending against virus infection and tumour progression, is regulated by multiple activating and inhibiting receptors expressed on NK cells, among which sialic acid-bind immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) act as a vital inhibitory group. Previous studies have shown that Siglec7 and Siglec9 are expressed on NK cells, which negatively regulate the function of NK cells and modulate the immune response through the interaction of sialic acid-containing ligands. Siglec7 and Siglec9 are very similar in distribution, gene encoding, protein sequences, ligand affinity, and functions in regulating the immune system against virus and cancers, but differences still exist between them. In this review, we aim to discuss the similarities and differences between Siglec7 and Siglec9 and analyze their functions in virus infection and tumour progression in order to develop better anti-viral and anti-tumor immunotherapy in the future.

N-Linked Glycosylation Regulates CD22 Organization and Function

The organization and clustering of cell surface proteins plays a critical role in controlling receptor signaling; however, the biophysical mechanisms regulating these parameters are not well understood. Elucidating these mechanisms is highly significant to our understanding of immune function in health and disease, given the importance of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling in directing B cells to produce antibodies for the clearance of pathogens, and the potential deleterious effects of dysregulated BCR signaling, such as in B cell malignancies or autoimmune disease. One of main inhibitory co-receptors on B cells is CD22, a sialic-acid binding protein, which interacts homotypically with other sialylated CD22 molecules, as well as heterotypically with IgM and CD45. Although the importance of CD22 in attenuating BCR signaling is well established, we still do not fully understand what mediates CD22 organization and association to BCRs. CD22 is highly glycosylated, containing 12 N-linked glycosylation sites on its extracellular domain, the function of which remain to be resolved. We were interested in how these glycosylation sites mediate homotypic vs. heterotypic interactions. To this end, we mutated five out of the six N-linked glycosylation residues on CD22 localized closest to the sialic acid binding site. Glycan site N101 was not mutated as this resulted in lack of CD22 expression. We used dual-color super-resolution imaging to investigate the impact of altered glycosylation of CD22 on the nanoscale organization of CD22 and its association with BCR. We show that mutation of these five glycosylation sites increased the clustering tendency of CD22 and resulted in higher density CD22 nanoclusters. Consistent with these findings of altered CD22 organization, we found that mutation of N-glycan sites attenuated CD22 phosphorylation upon BCR stimulation, and consequently, increased BCR signaling. Importantly, we identified that these sites may be ligands for the soluble secreted lectin, galectin-9, and are necessary for galectin-9 mediated inhibition of BCR signaling. Taken together, these findings implicate N-linked glycosylation in the organization and function of CD22, likely through regulating heterotypic interactions between CD22 and its binding partners.

B Cell Siglecs-News on Signaling and Its Interplay With Ligand Binding

CD22 and Siglec-G are members of the Siglec family. Both are inhibitory co-receptors on the surface of B cells and inhibit B-cell receptor induced signaling, characterized by inhibition of the calcium mobilization and cellular activation. CD22 functions predominantly as an inhibitor on conventional B cells, while Siglec-G is an important inhibitor on the B1a-cell subset. These two B-cell Siglecs do not only inhibit initial signaling, but also have an important function in preventing autoimmunity, as double deficient mice develop a lupus-like phenotype with age. Siglecs are characterized by their conserved ability to bind terminal sialic acid of glycans on the cell surface, which is important to regulate the inhibitory role of Siglecs. While CD22 binds α2,6-linked sialic acids, Siglec-G can bind both α2,6-linked and α2,3-linked sialic acids. Interestingly, ligand binding is differentially regulating the ability of CD22 and Siglec-G to control B-cell activation. Within the last years, quite a few studies focused on the different functions of B-cell Siglecs and the interplay of ligand binding and signal inhibition. This review summarizes the role of CD22 and Siglec-G in regulating B-cell receptor signaling, membrane distribution with the importance of ligand binding, preventing autoimmunity and the role of CD22 beyond the naïve B-cell stage. Additionally, this review article features the long time discussed interaction between CD45 and CD22 with highlighting recent data, as well as the interplay between CD22 and Galectin-9 and its influence on B-cell receptor signaling. Moreover, therapeutical approaches targeting human CD22 will be elucidated.

CD22: A Regulator of Innate and Adaptive B Cell Responses and Autoimmunity

CD22 (Siglec 2) is a receptor predominantly restricted to B cells. It was initially characterized over 30 years ago and named “CD22” in 1984 at the 2nd International workshop in Boston (1). Several excellent reviews have detailed CD22 functions, CD22-regulated signaling pathways and B cell subsets regulated by CD22 or Siglec G (2–4). This review is an attempt to highlight recent and possibly forgotten findings. We also describe the role of CD22 in autoimmunity and the great potential for CD22-based immunotherapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

A CD22-reactive TCR from the T-cell allorepertoire for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia by TCR gene transfer

CD22 is currently evaluated as a target-antigen for the treatment of B-cell malignancies using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T-cells or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). CAR- and mAbs-based immunotherapies have been successfully applied targeting other antigens, however, occurrence of refractory disease to these interventions urges the identification of additional strategies. Here, we identified a TCR recognizing the CD22-derived peptide RPFPPHIQL (CD22_RPF) presented in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B^*07:02. To overcome tolerance to self-antigens such as CD22, we exploited the immunogenicity of allogeneic HLA. CD22_RPF-specific T-cell clone 9D4 was isolated from a healthy HLA-B^*07:02^neg individual, efficiently produced cytokines upon stimulation with primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia and healthy B-cells, but did not react towards healthy hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cell subsets, including dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages expressing low levels of CD22. Gene transfer of TCR-9D4 installed potent CD22-specificity onto recipient CD8+ T-cells that recognized and lysed primary B-cell leukemia. TCR-transduced T-cells spared healthy CD22^neg hematopoietic cell subsets but weakly lysed CD22^low-expressing DCs and macrophages. CD22-specific TCR-engineered T-cells could form an additional immunotherapeutic strategy with a complementary role to CAR- and antibody-based interventions in the treatment of B-cell malignancies. However, CD22 expression on non-B-cells may limit the attractiveness of CD22 as target-antigen in cellular immunotherapy.

Besides an ITIM/SHP-1-dependent pathway, CD22 collaborates with Grb2 and plasma membrane calcium-ATPase in an ITIM/SHP-1-independent pathway of attenuation of Ca2+i signal in B cells

CD22 is a surface immunoglobulin implicated in negative regulation of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling; particularly inhibiting intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i)signals. Its cytoplasmic tail contains six tyrosine residues (Y773/Y783/Y817/Y828/Y843/Y863, designated Y1~Y6 respectively), including three (Y2/5/6) lying within immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs) that serve to recruit the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 after BCR activation-induced phosphorylation. The mechanism of inhibiting Ca2+i by CD22 has been poorly understood. Previous study demonstrated that CD22 associated with plasma membrane calcium-ATPase (PMCA) and enhanced its activity (Chen, J. et al. Nat Immunol 2004;5:651-7). The association is dependent on BCR activation-induced cytoplasmic tyrosine phosphorylation, because CD22 with either all six tyrosines mutated to phenylalanines or cytoplasmic tail truncated loses its ability to associate with PMCA. However, which individual or a group of tyrosine residues determine the association and how CD22 and PMCA interacts, are still unclear. In this study, by using a series of CD22 tyrosine mutants, we found that ITIM Y2/5/6 accounts for 34.3~37.1% Ca2+i inhibition but is irrelevant for CD22/PMCA association. Non-ITIM Y4 and its YEND motif contribute to the remaining 69.4~71.7% Ca2+i inhibition and is the binding site for PMCA-associated Grb2. Grb2, independently of BCR cross-linking, is constitutively associated with and directly binds to PMCA in both chicken and human B cells. Knockout of Grb2 by CRISPR/Cas9 completely disrupted the CD22/PMCA association. Thus, our results demonstrate for the first time that in addition to previously-identified ITIM/SHP-1-dependent pathway, CD22 holds a major pathway of negative regulation of Ca2+i signal, which is ITIM/SHP-1-independent, but Y4/Grb2/PMCA-dependent.

Targeting CD22 with the monoclonal antibody epratuzumab modulates human B-cell maturation and cytokine production in response to Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling

Background

Abnormal B-cell activation is implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The B-cell surface molecule CD22, which regulates activation through the B-cell receptor (BCR), is a potential target for inhibiting pathogenic B cells; however, the regulatory functions of CD22 remain poorly understood. In this study, we determined how targeting of CD22 with epratuzumab (Emab), a humanized anti-CD22 IgG1 monoclonal antibody, affects the activation of human B-cell subsets in response to Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and BCR engagement.

Methods

B-cell subsets were isolated from human tonsils and stimulated with F(ab′)₂ anti-human IgM and/or the TLR7 agonist R848 in the presence of Emab or a human IgG1 isotype control. Changes in mRNA levels of genes associated with B-cell activation and differentiation were analyzed by quantitative PCR. Cytokine production was measured by ELISA. Cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation were assessed by flow cytometry.

Results

Pretreatment of phenotypically naïve CD19⁺CD10^–CD27^– cells with Emab led to a significant increase in IL-10 expression, and in some but not all patient samples to a reduction of IL-6 production in response to TLR7 stimulation alone or in combination with anti-IgM. Emab selectively inhibited the expression of PRDM1, the gene encoding B-lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp-1) in activated CD10^–CD27^– B cells. CD10^–CD27^–IgD^– cells were highly responsive to stimulation through TLR7 as evidenced by the appearance of blasting CD27^hiCD38^hi cells. Emab significantly inhibited the activation and differentiation of CD10^–CD27^–IgD^– B cells into plasma cells.

Conclusions

Emab can both regulate cytokine expression and block Blimp1-dependent B-cell differentiation, although the effects of Emab may depend on the stage of B-cell development or activation. In addition, Emab inhibits the activation of CD27^–IgD^– tonsillar cells, which correspond to so-called double-negative memory B cells, known to be increased in SLE patients with more active disease. These data may be relevant to the therapeutic effect of Emab in vivo via modulation of the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines by B cells. Because Blimp-1 is required by B cells to mature into antibody-producing cells, inhibition of Blimp1 may reduce autoantibody production.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-017-1284-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Viewing Siglecs through the lens of tumor immunology

Many Siglecs function as inhibitory receptors on innate and adaptive immune cells and may contribute to the attenuation of immune responses to tumors. Siglec 9 on neutrophils and Siglec 7 on NK cells are prominent examples of inhibitory Siglecs that can potentially dampen anti-tumor immunity. CD169 is a Siglec that may function as an adhesion molecule and a facilitator of the recognition and internalization of sialic acid decorated apoptotic bodies and exosomes derived from tumors. It can potentially contribute to both the attenuation as well as the facilitation of anti-tumor immunity. Siglecs have been best studied in the tumor context in animal models of cancer. Modulators of Siglec function are likely to be developed and investigated clinically in a cancer context over the next few years.

Regulation of Siglec-8-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species production and eosinophil cell death by Src family kinases

RATIONALE

Siglec-8 is a surface receptor predominantly expressed on human eosinophils where its ligation induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and cell death. Since Siglec-8 has intracellular tyrosine-based motifs, we hypothesized that Src family kinases (SFKs) are involved in ROS formation and cell death induced by Siglec-8 engagement.

METHODS

Human peripheral blood eosinophils were purified and incubated with anti-Siglec-8 monoclonal antibodies (mAb, agonist), IL-5, and SFK pharmacological inhibitors. We focused on Siglec-8-induced cell death in short-term IL-5-activated cells leading to a regulated necrosis-type cell death. ROS production was determined by dihydrorhodamine (DHR) 123 labeling and flow cytometry, or by chemiluminescence using Amplex red. Activation of SFK was determined using phospholuminex and Western blotting.

RESULTS

In order to determine cellular localization of ROS production, we measured intra and extracellular ROS. While an ETosis stimulus (calcium ionophore A23187) led to extracellular ROS (ecROS) production, Siglec-8-engagement in short-term IL-5 activated cells led to intracellular ROS (icROS) accumulation. Consistently, inhibition of extracellular ROS by catalase inhibited ETosis, but not IL-5-primed Siglec-8-induced cell death. In order to determine signaling events for Siglec-8, we performed Western blotting and found SFK phosphorylation in lysates from eosinophils stimulated with anti-Siglec-8 mAb±IL-5. In order to identify which SFKs were involved, we used the phospholuminex assay and found increased levels of phosphorylated Fgr in the cytoplasmic fraction of cells co-stimulated with anti-Siglec-8 and IL-5 for 3 hours compared with cells stimulated with IL-5 alone. To test the involvement of SFKs in ROS production and cell death, we used SFK inhibitors PP2 and dasatinib, both of which completely inhibited eosinophil ROS production and cell death induced by anti-Siglec-8 and IL-5 co-stimulation.

CONCLUSION

Siglec-8 engagement in short-term IL-5-activated eosinophils causes icROS production and SKF phosphorylation, and both are essential in mediating Siglec-8-induced cell death.

Engagement of CD22 on B cells with the monoclonal antibody epratuzumab stimulates the phosphorylation of upstream inhibitory signals of the B cell receptor

The binding of antigen to the B cell receptor (BCR) results in a cascade of signalling events that ultimately drive B cell activation. Uncontrolled B cell activation is regulated by negative feedback loops that involve inhibitory co-receptors such as CD22 and CD32B that exert their functions following phosphorylation of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motifs (ITIMs). The CD22-targeted antibody epratuzumab has previously been shown to inhibit BCR-driven signalling events, but its effects on ITIM phosphorylation of CD22 and CD32B have not been properly evaluated. The present study therefore employed both immunoprecipitation and flow cytometry approaches to elucidate the effects of epratuzumab on direct phosphorylation of key tyrosine (Tyr) residues on both these proteins, using both transformed B cell lines and primary human B cells. Epratuzumab induced the phosphorylation of Tyr(822) on CD22 and enhanced its co-localisation with SHP-1. Additionally, in spite of high basal phosphorylation of other key ITIMs on CD22, in primary human B cells epratuzumab also enhanced phosphorylation of Tyr(807), a residue involved in the recruitment of Grb2. Such initiation events could explain the effects of epratuzumab on downstream signalling in B cells. Finally, we were able to demonstrate that epratuzumab stimulated the phosphorylation of Tyr(292) on the low affinity inhibitory Fc receptor CD32B which would further attenuate BCR-induced signalling. Together, these data demonstrate that engagement of CD22 with epratuzumab leads to the direct phosphorylation of key upstream inhibitory receptors of BCR signalling and may help to explain how this antibody modulates B cell function.

Nanoscale organization and dynamics of the siglec CD22 cooperate with the cytoskeleton in restraining BCR signalling

Receptor organization and dynamics at the cell membrane are important factors of signal transduction regulation. Using super-resolution microscopy and single-particle tracking, we show how the negative coreceptor CD22 works with the cortical cytoskeleton in restraining BCR signalling. In naïve B cells, we found endogenous CD22 to be highly mobile and organized into nanodomains. The landscape of CD22 and its lateral diffusion were perturbed either in the absence of CD45 or when the CD22 lectin domain was mutated. To understand how a relatively low number of CD22 molecules can keep BCR signalling in check, we generated Brownian dynamic simulations and supported them with ex vivo experiments. This combined approach suggests that the inhibitory function of CD22 is influenced by its nanoscale organization and is ensured by its fast diffusion enabling a "global BCR surveillance" at the plasma membrane.

CD19 and BAFF-R can signal to promote B-cell survival in the absence of Syk

The development and function of B lymphocytes is regulated by numerous signaling pathways, some emanating from the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR). The spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) plays a central role in the activation of the BCR, but less is known about its contribution to the survival and maintenance of mature B cells. We generated mice with an inducible and B-cell-specific deletion of the Syk gene and found that a considerable fraction of mature Syk-negative B cells can survive in the periphery for an extended time. Syk-negative B cells are defective in BCR, RP105 and CD38 signaling but still respond to an IL-4, anti-CD40, CpG or LPS stimulus. Our in vivo experiments show that Syk-deficient B cells require BAFF receptor and CD19/PI3K signaling for their long-term survival. These studies also shed a new light on the signals regulating the maintenance of the normal mature murine B-cell pool.

PhenomeExpress: a refined network analysis of expression datasets by inclusion of known disease phenotypes

We describe a new method, PhenomeExpress, for the analysis of transcriptomic datasets to identify pathogenic disease mechanisms. Our analysis method includes input from both protein-protein interaction and phenotype similarity networks. This introduces valuable information from disease relevant phenotypes, which aids the identification of sub-networks that are significantly enriched in differentially expressed genes and are related to the disease relevant phenotypes. This contrasts with many active sub-network detection methods, which rely solely on protein-protein interaction networks derived from compounded data of many unrelated biological conditions and which are therefore not specific to the context of the experiment. PhenomeExpress thus exploits readily available animal model and human disease phenotype information. It combines this prior evidence of disease phenotypes with the experimentally derived disease data sets to provide a more targeted analysis. Two case studies, in subchondral bone in osteoarthritis and in Pax5 in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, demonstrate that PhenomeExpress identifies core disease pathways in both mouse and human disease expression datasets derived from different technologies. We also validate the approach by comparison to state-of-the-art active sub-network detection methods, which reveals how it may enhance the detection of molecular phenotypes and provide a more detailed context to those previously identified as possible candidates.

The immunoglobulin tail tyrosine motif upgrades memory-type BCRs by incorporating a Grb2-Btk signalling module

The vigorous response of IgG-switched memory B cells to recurring pathogens involves enhanced signalling from their B-cell antigen receptors (BCRs). However, the molecular signal amplification mechanisms of memory-type BCRs remained unclear. Here, we identify the immunoglobulin tail tyrosine (ITT) motif in the cytoplasmic segments of membrane-bound IgGs (mIgGs) as the principle signal amplification device of memory-type BCRs in higher vertebrates and decipher its signalling microanatomy. We show that different families of protein tyrosine kinases act upstream and downstream of the ITT. Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) activity is required for ITT phosphorylation followed by recruitment of the adaptor protein Grb2 into the mIgG-BCR signalosome. Grb2 in turn recruits Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) to amplify BCR-induced Ca(2+) mobilization. This molecular interplay of kinases and adaptors increases the antigen sensitivity of memory-type BCRs, which provides a cell-intrinsic trigger mechanism for the rapid reactivation of IgG-switched memory B cells on antigen recall.

CD22 and Siglec-G regulate inhibition of B-cell signaling by sialic acid ligand binding and control B-cell tolerance

CD22 and Siglec-G are two B-cell expressed members of the Siglec (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin (Ig)-like lectin) family and are potent inhibitors of B-cell signaling. Genetic approaches have provided evidence that this inhibition of B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling by Siglecs is dependent on ligand binding to sialic acids in specific linkages. The cis-ligand-binding activity of CD22 leads to homo-oligomer formation, which are to a large extent found in membrane domains that are distinct from those containing the BCR. In contrast, Siglec-G is recruited via sialic acid binding to the BCR. This interaction of Siglec-G with mIgM leads to an inhibitory function that seems to be specific for B-1 cells. Both CD22 and Siglec-G control B-cell tolerance and loss of these proteins, its ligands or its inhibitory pathways can increase the susceptibility for autoimmune diseases. CD22 is a target protein both in B-cell leukemias and lymphomas, as well as in B-cell mediated autoimmune diseases. Both antibodies and synthetic chemically modified sialic acids are currently tested to target Siglecs on B cells.

A linkage map of transcribed single nucleotide polymorphisms in rohu (Labeo rohita) and QTL associated with resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila

BACKGROUND

Production of carp dominates world aquaculture. More than 1.1 million tonnes of rohu carp, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), were produced in 2010. Aeromonas hydrophila is a bacterial pathogen causing aeromoniasis in rohu, and is a major problem for carp production worldwide. There is a need to better understand the genetic mechanisms affecting resistance to this disease, and to develop tools that can be used with selective breeding to improve resistance. Here we use a 6 K SNP array to genotype 21 full-sibling families of L. rohita that were experimentally challenged intra-peritoneally with a virulent strain of A. hydrophila to scan the genome for quantitative trait loci associated with disease resistance.

RESULTS

In all, 3193 SNPs were found to be informative and were used to create a linkage map and to scan for QTL affecting resistance to A. hydrophila. The linkage map consisted of 25 linkage groups, corresponding to the number of haploid chromosomes in L. rohita. Male and female linkage maps were similar in terms of order, coverage (1384 and 1393 cM, respectively) and average interval distances (1.32 and 1.35 cM, respectively). Forty-one percent of the SNPs were annotated with gene identity using BLAST (cut off E-score of 0.001). Twenty-one SNPs mapping to ten linkage groups showed significant associations with the traits hours of survival and dead or alive (P <0.05 after Bonferroni correction). Of the SNPs showing significant or suggestive associations with the traits, several were homologous to genes of known immune function or were in close linkage to such genes. Genes of interest included heat shock proteins (70, 60, 105 and "small heat shock proteins"), mucin (5b precursor and 2), lectin (receptor and CD22), tributyltin-binding protein, major histocompatibility loci (I and II), complement protein component c7-1, perforin 1, ubiquitin (ligase, factor e4b isoform 2 and conjugation enzyme e2 c), proteasome subunit, T-cell antigen receptor and lymphocyte specific protein tyrosine kinase.

CONCLUSIONS

A panel of markers has been identified that will be validated for use with both genomic and marker-assisted selection to improve resistance of L. rohita to A. hydrophila.

The role of CD22 and Siglec-G in B-cell tolerance and autoimmune disease

A high proportion of peripheral human B cells produce polyreactive or autoreactive antibodies, which indicates that they have escaped the elimination of self-reactive B cells in the bone marrow. CD22 and Siglec-G are two inhibitory receptors of the sialic-acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec) family that inhibit the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signal. The ability of these two receptors to bind sialic acids is crucial for regulating inhibition and inducing tolerance to self-antigens. Sialylated glycans are usually absent on microbes (although several pathogenic microorganisms have evolved strategies to mimic self by decorating their surfaces with sialic acids) but abundant in higher vertebrates and might, therefore, provide an important tolerogenic signal. Combined Siglec-G deficiency and CD22 deficiency leads to spontaneous autoimmunity in mice, and mutations in an enzyme that modifies Siglec ligands are directly linked to several autoimmune diseases in humans. New data show that high-affinity ligands for CD22 and Siglec-G can be used to induce antigen-specific B-cell tolerance, which might be one strategy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases in the future.

Targeting CD22 in B-cell malignancies: current status and clinical outlook

CD22 is a B-cell-specific transmembrane glycoprotein found on the surface of most B cells; it modulates B-cell function, survival and apoptosis. CD22 has emerged as an ideal target for monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapy of B-cell malignancies including most lymphomas and many leukemias. Epratuzumab, an anti-CD22 mAb, has been developed in various forms, including as an unlabeled (naked) mAb, as a radioimmunotherapeutic, as an antibody drug conjugate (ADC), and as a vehicle for CD22-targeted nanoparticles. While clinical trials with unlabeled epratuzumab have demonstrated modest results, its combination with rituximab in phase II studies has been more encouraging. Based on the potential for CD22 to become internalized, CD22-targeted constructs carrying radioisotopes or toxins have generated promising results. Radioimmunotherapy, utilizing ⁹⁰Y-labeled epratuzumab, was shown to be highly effective in patients with follicular lymphoma, generating a complete response (CR) rate of 92 % and progression-free survival of more than 2 years. ADC therapy is a promising therapeutic approach to B-cell malignancies which includes the direct conjugation of mAbs with cytotoxic agents. Phase II studies of inotuzumab ozogamicin, an ADC which combines anti-CD22 mAb with calicheamicin, an enediyne antibiotic which mediates apoptosis, in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia have produced an overall response rate (ORR) of greater than 50 % in treatment-refractory patients. Phase I trials of moxetumomab pasudotox, an ADC which combines anti-CD22 with PE38, a fragment of Pseudomonas exotoxin A, have been completed in hairy cell leukemia with a ORR of 86 %. Finally, a review of CD22-targeted nanoparticles, that include a doxorubicin-containing lipid complex that uses synthetic high-affinity CD22 ligand mimetics as well as anti-CD22 mAb-coated pegylated liposomas doxorubin (PLD), has demonstrated promising results in pre-clinical models of human lymphoma. Moreover, novel anti-CD22 mAb that block CD22 ligand binding as well as second generation ADC that utilize biodegradable linkers and more potent toxins hold great hope for the future of CD22-targeted therapeutics that may translate into better outcomes for patients with CD22-positive malignancies.

The Myc-miR-17-92 axis amplifies B-cell receptor signaling via inhibition of ITIM proteins: a novel lymphomagenic feed-forward loop

The c-Myc oncoprotein regulates >15% of the human transcriptome and a limited number of microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we establish that in a human B-lymphoid cell line, Myc-repressed, but not Myc-stimulated, genes are significantly enriched for predicted binding sites of Myc-regulated miRNAs, primarily those comprising the Myc-activated miR-17~92 cluster. Notably, gene set enrichment analysis demonstrates that miR-17∼92 is a major regulator of B-cell receptor (BCR) pathway components. Many of them are immunoreceptor tyrosine inhibitory motif (ITIM)-containing proteins, and ITIM proteins CD22 and FCGR2B were found to be direct targets of miR-17∼92. Consistent with the propensity of ITIM proteins to recruit phosphatases, either MYC or miR-17~92 expression was necessary to sustain phosphorylation of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) and the B-cell linker protein (BLNK) upon ligation of the BCR. Further downstream, stimulation of the BCR response by miR-17-92 resulted in the enhanced calcium flux and elevated levels of Myc itself. Notably, inhibition of the miR-17~92 cluster in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines diminished the BCR response as measured by SYK and BLNK phosphorylation. Conversely, human DLBCLs of the BCR subtype express higher Myc and mir17hg transcript levels than other subtypes. Hence, the Myc-miR-17-92-BCR axis, frequently affected by genomic rearrangements, constitutes a novel lymphomagenic feed-forward loop.

CD22 ligand-binding and signaling domains reciprocally regulate B-cell Ca2+ signaling

A high proportion of human B cells carry B-cell receptors (BCRs) that are autoreactive. Inhibitory receptors such as CD22 can downmodulate autoreactive BCR responses. With its extracellular domain, CD22 binds to sialic acids in α2,6 linkages in cis, on the surface of the same B cell or in trans, on other cells. Sialic acids are self ligands, as they are abundant in vertebrates, but are usually not expressed by pathogens. We show that cis-ligand binding of CD22 is crucial for the regulation of B-cell Ca(2+) signaling by controlling the CD22 association to the BCR. Mice with a mutated CD22 ligand-binding domain of CD22 showed strongly reduced Ca(2+) signaling. In contrast, mice with mutated CD22 immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motifs have increased B-cell Ca(2+) responses, increased B-cell turnover, and impaired survival of the B cells. Thus, the CD22 ligand-binding domain has a crucial function in regulating BCR signaling, which is relevant for controlling autoimmunity.

Massively parallel sequencing of the mouse exome to accurately identify rare, induced mutations: an immediate source for thousands of new mouse models

Accurate identification of sparse heterozygous single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) is a critical challenge for identifying the causative mutations in mouse genetic screens, human genetic diseases and cancer. When seeking to identify causal DNA variants that occur at such low rates, they are overwhelmed by false-positive calls that arise from a range of technical and biological sources. We describe a strategy using whole-exome capture, massively parallel DNA sequencing and computational analysis, which identifies with a low false-positive rate the majority of heterozygous and homozygous SNVs arising de novo with a frequency of one nucleotide substitution per megabase in progeny of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-mutated C57BL/6j mice. We found that by applying a strategy of filtering raw SNV calls against known and platform-specific variants we could call true SNVs with a false-positive rate of 19.4 per cent and an estimated false-negative rate of 21.3 per cent. These error rates are small enough to enable calling a causative mutation from both homozygous and heterozygous candidate mutation lists with little or no further experimental validation. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated by identifying the causative mutation in the Ptprc gene in a lymphocyte-deficient strain and in 11 other strains with immune disorders or obesity, without the need for meiotic mapping. Exome sequencing of first-generation mutant mice revealed hundreds of unphenotyped protein-changing mutations, 52 per cent of which are predicted to be deleterious, which now become available for breeding and experimental analysis. We show that exome sequencing data alone are sufficient to identify induced mutations. This approach transforms genetic screens in mice, establishes a general strategy for analysing rare DNA variants and opens up a large new source for experimental models of human disease.

Mechanisms of Siglec-F-induced eosinophil apoptosis: a role for caspases but not for SHP-1, Src kinases, NADPH oxidase or reactive oxygen

BACKGROUND

Siglec-F and Siglec-8 are functional paralog proapoptotic cell surface receptors expressed on mouse and human eosinophils, respectively. Whereas Siglec-8 mediated death involves caspases and/or reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial injury, very little is known about Siglec-F-mediated signaling and apoptosis. Therefore the objective of the current experiments was to better define apoptosis pathways mediated by Siglec-F and Siglec-8. Given that Siglec-F-induced apoptosis is much less robust than Siglec-8-induced apoptosis, we hypothesized that mechanisms involved in cell death via these receptors would differ.

METHODS

Consequences of engagement of Siglec-F on mouse eosinophils were studied by measuring ROS production, and by performing apoptosis assays using eosinophils from normal, hypereosinophilic, NADPH oxidase-deficient, src homology domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP)-1-deficient, and Lyn kinase-deficient mice. Inhibitors of caspase and Src family kinase activity were also used.

RESULTS

Engagement of Siglec-F induced mouse eosinophil apoptosis that was modest in magnitude and dependent on caspase activity. There was no detectable ROS generation, or any role for ROS, NADPH oxidase, SHP-1, or Src family kinases in this apoptotic process.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that Siglec-F-mediated apoptosis is different in both magnitude and mechanisms when compared to published data on Siglec-8-mediated human eosinophil apoptosis. One likely implication of this work is that models targeting Siglec-F in vivo in mice may not provide identical mechanistic predictions for consequences of Siglec-8 targeting in vivo in humans.

STALing B cell responses with CD22

Suppressing unwanted humoral immune responses without compromising the host's ability to respond to foreign pathogens is a primary goal for therapies aimed at ameliorating harmful autoantibody production. Global suppression of the immune system via lymphocyte depletion and/or immunosuppressive drugs can have off-target effects, a limitation to conventional therapies. In this issue of the JCI, Macauley and colleagues utilize a novel platform to inhibit antigen-specific antibody production that preserves the immune system's ability to respond to unrelated antigens.

Recruitment of Grb2 and SHIP1 by the ITT-like motif of TIGIT suppresses granule polarization and cytotoxicity of NK cells

Activating and inhibitory receptors control natural killer (NK) cell activity. T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM (immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif) domain (TIGIT) was recently identified as a new inhibitory receptor on T and NK cells that suppressed their effector functions. TIGIT harbors the immunoreceptor tail tyrosine (ITT)-like and ITIM motifs in its cytoplasmic tail. However, how its ITT-like motif functions in TIGIT-mediated negative signaling is still unclear. Here, we show that TIGIT/PVR (poliovirus receptor) engagement disrupts granule polarization leading to loss of killing activity of NK cells. The ITT-like motif of TIGIT has a major role in its negative signaling. After TIGIT/PVR ligation, the ITT-like motif is phosphorylated at Tyr225 and binds to cytosolic adapter Grb2, which can recruit SHIP1 to prematurely terminate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and MAPK signaling, leading to downregulation of NK cell function. In support of this, Tyr225 or Asn227 mutation leads to restoration of TIGIT/PVR-mediated cytotoxicity, and SHIP1 silencing can dramatically abolish TIGIT/PVR-mediated killing inhibition.

Human CD22 cannot fully substitute murine CD22 functions in vivo, as shown in a new knockin mouse model

CD22, an inhibitory co-receptor of the B-cell receptor, shows a B-cell-specific expression pattern and is expressed on most B-cell lymphomas. The anti-CD22 antibody Epratuzumab is in clinical trials for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic lupus erythematosus, but shows a mostly unknown mode of action. We generated a new mouse model that expresses human CD22 instead of murine CD22 (Huki CD22 mice), in which human CD22 can be targeted. Expression of human CD22 on the B cells of Huki CD22 mice does not generally interfere with B-cell development. However, Huki CD22 mice show a reduction of the population of mature recirculating B cells in the bone marrow and reduced transitional and marginal zone B cells in the spleen, phenotypes resembling that of CD22-deficient mice. Similarly, enhanced BCR-induced Ca(2+) signalling is observed in Huki CD22 mice, which also mount normal immune responses toward different classes of antigens. Huki CD22 B cells show a normal anti-hCD22 antibody-mediated endocytosis. In conclusion, human CD22 cannot fully substitute for murine CD22 functions, possibly due to the changed intracellular tail of the protein or due to lower expression levels. Huki CD22 mice are a valuable new model for both antibody- and immunotoxin-mediated targeting of human CD22.

Siglecs as sensors of self in innate and adaptive immune responses

Siglecs are expressed on most white blood cells of the immune system and are known to modulate the activity of cell signaling receptors via regulatory motifs in their cytoplasmic domains. This immunoglobulin subfamily of coreceptors recognize sialic acid containing glycans as ligands, which are found on glycoproteins and glycolipids of all mammalian cells. By virtue of their ability to recognize this common structural element, siglecs are increasingly recognized for their ability to help immune cells distinguish between self and nonself, and dampen autoimmune responses.

Regulation of B cell functions by the sialic acid-binding receptors siglec-G and CD22

B cell antigen receptor (BCR) engagement can lead to many different physiologic outcomes. To achieve an appropriate response, the BCR signal is interpreted in the context of other stimuli and several additional receptors on the B cell surface participate in the modulation of the signal. Two members of the Siglec (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin) family, CD22 and Siglec-G have been shown to inhibit the BCR signal. Recent findings indicate that the ability of these two receptors to bind sialic acids might be important to induce tolerance to self-antigens. Sialylated glycans are usually absent on microbes but abundant in higher vertebrates and might therefore provide an important tolerogenic signal. Since the expression of the specific ligands for Siglec-G and CD22 is tightly regulated and since Siglecs are not only able to bind their ligands in trans but also on the same cell surface this might provide additional mechanisms to control the BCR signal. Although both Siglec-G and CD22 are expressed on B cells and are able to inhibit BCR mediated signaling, they also show unique biological functions. While CD22 is the dominant regulator of calcium signaling on conventional B2 cells and also seems to play a role on marginal zone B cells, Siglec-G exerts its function mainly on B1 cells and influences their lifespan and antibody production. Both Siglec-G and CD22 have also recently been linked to toll-like receptor signaling and may provide a link in the regulation of the adaptive and innate immune response of B cells.

Siglecs and immune regulation

Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins, or Siglecs, vary in their specificity for sialic acid-containing ligands and are mainly expressed by cells of the immune system. Many Siglecs are inhibitory receptors expressed in innate immune cells that regulate inflammation mediated by damage-associated and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs and PAMPs). This family also includes molecules involved in adhesion and phagocytosis and receptors that can associate with the ITAM-containing DAP12 adaptor. Siglecs contribute to the inhibition of immune cells both by binding to cis ligands (expressed in the same cells) and by responding to pathogen-derived sialoglycoconjugates. They can help maintain tolerance in B lymphocytes, modulate the activation of conventional and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and contribute to the regulation of T cell function both directly and indirectly. Siglecs modulate immune responses, influencing almost every cell in the immune system, and are of relevance both in health and disease.

Growth-factor receptor-bound protein-2 (Grb2) signaling in B cells controls lymphoid follicle organization and germinal center reaction

Grb2 (growth-factor receptor-bound protein-2) is a signaling adaptor that interacts with numerous receptors and intracellular signaling molecules. However, its role in B-cell development and function remains unknown. Here we show that ablation of Grb2 in B cells results in enhanced B-cell receptor signaling; however, mutant B cells do not form germinal centers in the spleen after antigen stimulation. Furthermore, mutant mice exhibit defects in splenic architecture resembling that observed in B-cell-specific lymphotoxin-β-deficient mice, including disruption of marginal zone and follicular dendritic cell networks. We find that grb2(-/-) B cells are defective in lymphotoxin-β expression. Although lymphotoxin can be up-regulated by chemokine CXCL13 and CD40 ligand stimulation in wild-type B cells, elevation of lymphotoxin expression in grb2(-/-) B cells is only induced by anti-CD40 but not by CXCL13. Our results thus define Grb2 as a nonredundant regulator that controls lymphoid follicle organization and germinal center reaction. Loss of Grb2 has no effect on B-cell chemotaxis to CXCL13, indicating that Grb2 executes this function by connecting the CXCR5 signaling pathway to lymphotoxin expression but not to chemotaxis.

CD22 is a recycling receptor that can shuttle cargo between the cell surface and endosomal compartments of B cells

CD22 is a member of the sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin (Siglec) family that is known to be a regulator of B cell signaling. Its B cell-specific expression makes it an attractive target for immunotoxin-mediated B cell depletion therapy for the treatment of B cell lymphomas and autoimmune diseases. Although CD22 is well documented to be an endocytic receptor, it is believed that after internalization, it is targeted for degradation. We show in this study that CD22 is instead constitutively recycled to the cell surface. We also find that glycan ligand-based cargo is released from CD22 and accumulates intracellularly as CD22 recycles between the cell surface and endosomal compartments. In contrast, Abs to CD22 do not accumulate but remain bound to CD22 and recycle to the cell surface. The results have implications for development of agents that target CD22 as an endocytic receptor for delivery of cytotoxic cargo to B cells.

The B-lymphoid Grb2 interaction code

The growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2) is a ubiquitously expressed and evolutionary conserved adapter protein possessing a plethora of described interaction partners for the regulation of signal transduction. In B lymphocytes, the Grb2-mediated scaffolding function controls the assembly and subcellular targeting of activating as well as inhibitory signalosomes in response to ligation of the antigen receptor. Also, integration of simultaneous signals from B-cell coreceptors that amplify or attenuate antigen receptor signal output relies on Grb2. Hence, Grb2 is an essential signal integrator. The key question remains, however, of how pathway specificity can be maintained during signal homeostasis critically required for the balance between immune cell activation and tolerance induction. Here, we summarize the molecular network of Grb2 in B cells and introduce a proteomic approach to elucidate the interactome of Grb2 in vivo.

The tyrosine 343 residue of nucleophosmin (NPM)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is important for its interaction with SHP1, a cytoplasmic tyrosine phosphatase with tumor suppressor functions

The cytoplasmic tyrosine phosphatase SHP1 has been shown to inhibit the oncogenic fusion protein nucleophosmin (NPM)-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and loss of SHP1 contributes to NPM-ALK-mediated tumorigenesis. In this study, we aimed to further understand how SHP1 interacts and regulates NPM-ALK. We employed an in vitro model in which GP293 cells were transfected with various combinations of NPM-ALK (or mutants) and SHP1 (or mutants) expression vectors. We found that SHP1 co-immunoprecipitated with NPM-ALK, but not the enzymatically inactive NPM-ALK(K210R) mutant, or the mutant in which all three functionally important tyrosine residues (namely, Tyr(338), Tyr(342), and Tyr(343)) in the kinase activation loop (KAL) of ALK were mutated. Interestingly, whereas mutation of Tyr(338) or Tyr(342) did not result in any substantial change in the NPM-ALK/SHP1 binding (assessed by co-immunoprecipitation), mutation of Tyr(343) abrogated this interaction. Furthermore, the NPM-ALK/SHP1 binding was readily detectable when each of the remaining 8 tyrosine residues known to be phosphorylated were mutated. Although the expression of SHP1 effectively reduced the level of tyrosine phosphorylation of NPM-ALK, it did not affect that of the NPM-ALK(Y343F) mutant. In soft agar clonogenic assay, SHP1 expression significantly reduced the tumorigenicity of NPM-ALK but not that of NPM-ALK(Y343F). In conclusion, we identified Tyr(343) of NPM-ALK as the crucial site for mediating the NPM-ALK/SHP1 interaction. Our results also support the notion that the tumor suppressor effects of SHP1 on NPM-ALK are dependent on its ability to bind to this oncogenic protein.

Emerging therapies for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma

In recent years considerable progress has been made in the treatment of patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Although responses can be achieved with combination chemotherapy regimens, a substantial proportion of patients are still not cured. In recent years, the knowledge of the cellular and molecular biology of distinct types of B-cell NHL have led to the development of a new class of drugs that specifically targets unique disease-specific pathways. This review will focus on novel therapies that are being developed for the treatment of B-cell NHL including those targeting the B-cell receptor signaling pathway, the proteasome, epigenetic lesions, novel anti-apoptotic drugs, new monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulatory drugs.

Pivotal advance: CEACAM1 is a negative coreceptor for the B cell receptor and promotes CD19-mediated adhesion of B cells in a PI3K-dependent manner

Upon antigen binding, the BCR transduces a signal culminating in proliferation or in AICD of the B cell. Coreceptor engagement and subsequent modification of the BCR signal pathway are mechanisms that guide the B cell to its appropriate fate. For example, in the absence of coreceptor engagement, anti-sIgM antibodies induce apoptosis in the human Daudi B cell lymphoma cell line. ITIM-bearing B cell coreceptors that potentially may act as negative coreceptors include FcRgammaIIb, CD22, CD72, and CEACAM1 (CD66a). Although the role of CEACAM1 as an inhibitory coreceptor in T cells has been established, its role in B cells is poorly defined. We show that anti-sIgM antibody and PI3K inhibitor LY294002-induced apoptosis are reduced significantly in CEACAM1 knock-down clones compared with WT Daudi cells and that anti-sIgM treatment induced CEACAM1 tyrosine phosphorylation and association with SHP-1 in WT cells. In contrast, treatment of WT Daudi cells with anti-CD19 antibodies does not induce apoptosis and has reduced tyrosine phosphorylation and SHP-1 recruitment to CEACAM1. Thus, similar to its function in T cells, CEACAM1 may act as an inhibitory B cell coreceptor, most likely through recruitment of SHP-1 and inhibition of a PI3K-promoted activation pathway. Activation of B cells by anti-sIgM or anti-CD19 antibodies also leads to cell aggregation that is promoted by CEACAM1, also in a PI3K-dependent manner.

SAP binds to CD22 and regulates B cell inhibitory signaling and calcium flux

The signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein (SAP or SH2D1A) is an important regulator of immune function which, when mutated or deleted, causes the X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome (XLP). Because B cell lymphoma is a major phenotype of XLP, it is important to understand the function of SAP in B cells. Here we report that SAP is expressed endogenously in mouse splenic B cells, is inducibly expressed in the human BJAB cells, and co-localizes and interacts with CD22. We also show that SAP binding to the inhibitory immunoreceptor CD22 regulates calcium mobilization in B cells. Moreover, forced expression of SAP leads to constitutive CD22 tyrosine phosphorylation and decreased Ca(2+) response in B cells. Biochemical analysis reveals that, in response to IgM cross-linking, the phosphorylation of Syk, Blnk, or PLCgamma2 and their interactions with one another were either diminished or completely abolished in SAP-expressing cells compared to cells that lack SAP. Collectively our work identifies a novel role for SAP in B cells and extends its function to inhibitory immunoreceptor signaling and calcium mobilization.

Negative signaling by inhibitory receptors: the NK cell paradigm

Receptors carrying immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motifs (ITIMs) in their cytoplasmic tail control a vast array of cellular responses, ranging from autoimmunity, allergy, phagocytosis of red blood cells, graft versus host disease, to even neuronal plasticity in the brain. The inhibitory function of many receptors has been deduced on the basis of cytoplasmic ITIM sequences. Tight regulation of natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production by inhibitory receptors specific for major histocompatibility complex class I molecules has served as a model system to study the negative signaling pathway triggered by an ITIM-containing receptor in the physiological context of NK-target cell interactions. Advances in our understanding of the molecular details of inhibitory signaling in NK cells have provided a conceptual framework to address how ITIM-mediated regulation controls cellular reactivity in diverse cell types.

Increased IL-12 inhibits B cells' differentiation to germinal center cells and promotes differentiation to short-lived plasmablasts

B cells activated by antigen in T cell–dependent immune responses can become short-lived plasma cells, which remain in the spleen, or germinal center–derived memory or plasma cells, which show evidence of affinity maturation and, in the case of plasma cells, migrate to the bone marrow. We show that this cell fate decision can be governed by the cytokine environment engendered by activated dendritic cells (DCs). DCs from mice lacking the Fc receptor γ chain exhibited an activated phenotype in vitro. They secreted more of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-12, which led to the preferential generation of short-lived splenic plasma cells, with ensuing low affinity antibodies and a diminished recall response. Understanding the factors that regulate antigen-activated B cell differentiation and memory cell formation has implications for both antibody-mediated autoimmune disease and protective antibody responses.

SHP-1 inhibition by 4-hydroxynonenal activates Jun N-terminal kinase and glutamate cysteine ligase

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a major lipid peroxidation product, is toxic at high concentrations, but at near-physiological concentrations it induces detoxifying enzymes. Previous data established that in human bronchial epithelial (HBE1) cells, both genes for glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) are induced by HNE through the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. The protein-tyrosine phosphatase SH2 domain containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1) is thought to play a role as a negative regulator of cell signaling, and has been implicated as such in the JNK pathway. In the present study, SHP-1 was demonstrated to contribute to HNE-induced-gclc expression via regulation of the JNK pathway in HBE1 cells. Treatment of HBE1 cells with HNE induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (MKK4), JNK, and c-Jun. HNE was able to inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatase activity of SHP-1 through increased degradation of the protein. Furthermore, transfection with small interference RNA SHP-1 showed an enhancement of JNK and c-Jun phosphorylation, but not of MKK4, leading to increased gclc expression. These results demonstrate that SHP-1 plays a role as a negative regulator of the JNK pathway and that HNE activated the JNK pathway by inhibiting SHP-1. Thus, SHP-1 acts as a sensor for HNE and is responsible for an important adaptive response to oxidative stress.