Control of B cell development by Ras-mediated activation of Raf

Role of Signal-Transducing Adaptor Protein-1 for T Cell Activation and Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Demyelination and Airway Inflammation

Signal-transducing adaptor protein (STAP)-1 is an adaptor protein that is widely expressed in T cells. In this article, we show that STAP-1 upregulates TCR-mediated T cell activation and T cell-mediated airway inflammation. Using STAP-1 knockout mice and STAP-1-overexpressing Jurkat cells, we found that STAP-1 enhanced TCR signaling, resulting in increased calcium mobilization, NFAT activity, and IL-2 production. Upon TCR engagement, STAP-1 binding to ITK promoted formation of ITK-LCK and ITK-phospholipase Cγ1 complexes to induce downstream signaling. Consistent with the results, STAP-1 deficiency reduced the severity of symptoms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that STAP-1 is essential for accumulation of T cells and Ifng and Il17 expression in spinal cords after experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induction. Th1 and Th17 development was also attenuated in STAP-1 knockout naive T cells. Taken together, STAP-1 enhances TCR signaling and plays a role in T cell-mediated immune disorders.

A Focused Review of Ras Guanine Nucleotide-Releasing Protein 1 in Immune Cells and Cancer

Four Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing proteins (RasGRP1 through 4) belong to the family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). RasGRPs catalyze the release of GDP from small GTPases Ras and Rap and facilitate their transition from an inactive GDP-bound to an active GTP-bound state. Thus, they regulate critical cellular responses via many downstream GTPase effectors. Similar to other RasGRPs, the catalytic module of RasGRP1 is composed of the Ras exchange motif (REM) and Cdc25 domain, and the EF hands and C1 domain contribute to its cellular localization and regulation. RasGRP1 can be activated by a diacylglycerol (DAG)-mediated membrane recruitment and protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylation. RasGRP1 acts downstream of the T cell receptor (TCR), B cell receptors (BCR), and pre-TCR, and plays an important role in the thymocyte maturation and function of peripheral T cells, B cells, NK cells, mast cells, and neutrophils. The dysregulation of RasGRP1 is known to contribute to numerous disorders that range from autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and schizophrenia to neoplasia. Given its position at the crossroad of cell development, inflammation, and cancer, RASGRP1 has garnered interest from numerous disciplines. In this review, we outline the structure, function, and regulation of RasGRP1 and focus on the existing knowledge of the role of RasGRP1 in leukemia and other cancers.

STAP-2 Is a Novel Positive Regulator of TCR-Proximal Signals

TCR ligation with an Ag presented on MHC molecules promotes T cell activation, leading to the selection, differentiation, and proliferation of T cells and cytokine production. These immunological events are optimally arranged to provide appropriate responses against a variety of pathogens. We here propose signal-transducing adaptor protein-2 (STAP-2) as a new positive regulator of TCR signaling. STAP-2-deficient T cells showed reduced, whereas STAP-2-overexpressing T cells showed enhanced, TCR-mediated signaling and downstream IL-2 production. For the mechanisms, STAP-2 associated with TCR-proximal CD3ζ immunoreceptor tyrosine activation motifs and phosphorylated LCK, resulting in enhancement of their binding after TCR stimulation. In parallel, STAP-2 expression is required for full activation of downstream TCR signaling. Importantly, STAP-2-deficient mice exhibited slight phenotypes of CD4⁺ T-cell-mediated inflammatory diseases, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, whereas STAP-2-overexpressing transgenic mice showed severe phenotypes of these diseases. Together, STAP-2 is an adaptor protein to enhance TCR signaling; therefore, manipulating STAP-2 will have an ability to improve the treatment of patients with autoimmune diseases as well as the chimeric Ag receptor T cell therapy.

RASAL3 Is a Putative RasGAP Modulating Inflammatory Response by Neutrophils

As first responder cells in host defense, neutrophils must be carefully regulated to prevent collateral tissue injury. However, the intracellular events that titrate the neutrophil’s response to inflammatory stimuli remain poorly understood. As a molecular switch, Ras activity is tightly regulated by Ras GTPase activating proteins (RasGAP) to maintain cellular active-inactive states. Here, we show that RASAL3, a RasGAP, is highly expressed in neutrophils and that its expression is upregulated by exogenous stimuli in neutrophils. RASAL3 deficiency triggers augmented neutrophil responses and enhanced immune activation in acute inflammatory conditions. Consequently, mice lacking RASAL3 (RASAL3-KO) demonstrate accelerated mortality in a septic shock model via induction of severe organ damage and hyperinflammatory response. The excessive neutrophilic hyperinflammation and increased mortality were recapitulated in a mouse model of sickle cell disease, which we found to have low neutrophil RASAL3 expression upon LPS activation. Thus, RASAL3 functions as a RasGAP that negatively regulates the cellular activity of neutrophils to modulate the inflammatory response. These results demonstrate that RASAL3 could serve as a therapeutic target to regulate excessive inflammation in sepsis and many inflammatory disease states.

TRIP13 modulates protein deubiquitination and accelerates tumor development and progression of B cell malignancies

Multiple myeloma (MM), a terminally differentiated B cell malignancy, remains difficult to cure. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of MM may identify therapeutic targets and lead to a fundamental shift in treatment of the disease. Deubiquitination, like ubiquitination, is a highly regulated process, implicated in almost every cellular process. Multiple deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have been identified, but their regulation is poorly defined. Here, we determined that TRIP13 increases cellular deubiquitination. Overexpression of TRIP13 in mice and cultured cells resulted in excess cellular deubiquitination by enhancing the association of the DUB USP7 with its substrates. We show that TRIP13 is an oncogenic protein because it accelerates B cell tumor development in transgenic mice. TRIP13-induced resistance to proteasome inhibition can be overcome by a USP7 inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that TRIP13 expression plays a critical role in B cell lymphoma and MM by regulating deubiquitination of critical oncogenic (NEK2) and tumor suppressor (PTEN, p53) proteins. High TRIP13 identifies a high-risk patient group amenable to adjuvant anti-USP7 therapy.

ERK phosphorylation is RAF independent in naïve and activated B cells but RAF dependent in plasma cell differentiation

Members of the RAF family of serine-threonine kinases are intermediates in the mitogen-activated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK-ERK) signaling pathway, which controls key differentiation processes in B cells. By analyzing mice with B cell-specific deletion of Raf1, Braf, or both, we showed that Raf-1 and B-Raf acted together in mediating the positive selection of pre-B and transitional B cells as well as in initiating plasma cell differentiation. However, genetic or chemical inactivation of RAFs led to increased ERK phosphorylation in mature B cells. ERK activation in the absence of Raf-1 and B-Raf was mediated by multiple RAF-independent pathways, with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) playing an important role. Furthermore, we found that ERK phosphorylation strongly increased during the transition from activated B cells to pre-plasmablasts. This increase in ERK phosphorylation did not occur in B cells lacking both Raf-1 and B-Raf, which most likely explains the partial block of plasma cell differentiation in mice lacking both RAFs. Collectively, our data indicate that B-Raf and Raf-1 are not necessary to mediate ERK phosphorylation in naïve or activated B cells but are essential for mediating the marked increase in ERK phosphorylation during the transition from activated B cells to pre-plasmablasts.

Expression of signal-transducing adaptor protein-1 attenuates experimental autoimmune hepatitis via down-regulating activation and homeostasis of invariant natural killer T cells

Objective

Signal-transducing adaptor protein (STAP) family members function as adaptor molecules and are involved in several events during immune responses. Notably however, the biological functions of STAP-1 in other cells are not known. We aimed to investigate the functions of STAP-1 in invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and iNKT cell-dependent hepatitis.

Methods

We employed concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis and α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer)-induced hepatitis mouse models, both are models of iNKT cell-dependent autoimmune hepatitis, and STAP-1 overexpressing 2E10 cells to investigate the role of STAP-1 in iNKT cell activation in vivo an in vitro, respectively.

Results

After Con A- or α-GalCer-injection, hepatocyte necrotic areas and plasma alanine aminotransferase elevation were more severe in STAP-1 knockout (S1KO) mice and milder in lymphocyte-specific STAP-1 transgenic (S1Tg) mice, as compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Two events that may be related to Con A-induced and/or α-GalCer-induced hepatitis were influenced by STAP-1 manipulation. One is that iNKT cell populations in the livers and spleens were increased in S1KO mice and were decreased in S1Tg mice. The other is that Con A-induced interleukin-4 and interferon-γ production was attenuated by STAP-1 overexpression. These effects of STAP-1 were confirmed using 2E10 cells overexpressing STAP-1 that showed impairment of interleukin-4 and interferon-γ production as well as phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases in response to Con A stimulation.

Conclusions

These results conclude that STAP-1 regulates iNKT cell maintenance/activation, and is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis.

Multifaceted effects of soluble human CD6 in experimental cancer models

Background

CD6 is a lymphocyte surface co-receptor physically associated with the T-cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex at the center of the immunological synapse. There, CD6 assists in cell-to-cell contact stabilization and modulation of activation/differentiation events through interaction with CD166/ALCAM (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule), its main reported ligand. While accumulating evidence is attracting new interest on targeting CD6 for therapeutic purposes in autoimmune disorders, little is known on its potential in cancer. In an attempt to elucidate the in vivo relevance of blocking CD6-mediated interactions in health and disease, we explored the consequences of expressing high circulating levels of a soluble form CD6 (sCD6) as a decoy receptor.

Methods

High sCD6 serum levels were achieved by using transgenic C57BL/6 mice expressing human sCD6 under the control of lymphoid-specific transcriptional elements (shCD6LckEμTg) or wild type either transduced with hepatotropic adeno-associated virus coding for mouse sCD6 or undergoing repeated infusions of recombinant human sCD6 protein. Characterization of sCD6-induced changes was performed by ex vivo flow cytometry and functional analyses of mouse lymphoid organ cells. The in vivo relevance of those changes was explored by challenging mice with subcutaneous or metastatic tumors induced by syngeneic cancer cells of different lineage origins.

Results

Through a combination of in vitro and in vivo studies, we show that circulating sCD6 expression induces defective regulatory T cell (Treg) generation and function, decreased CD166/ALCAM-mediated tumor cell proliferation/migration and impaired galectin-induced T-cell apoptosis, supporting the fact that sCD6 modulates antitumor lymphocyte effector function and tumorigenesis. Accordingly, sCD6 expression in vivo resulted in delayed subcutaneous tumor growth and/or reduced metastasis on challenge of mice with syngeneic cancer cells.

Conclusions

Evidence is provided for the disruption of CD6 receptor–ligand interactions as a feasible immunomodulatory approach in cancer.

Bptf determines oncogenic addiction in aggressive B-cell lymphomas

Chromatin remodeling factors contribute to establish aberrant gene expression programs in cancer cells and therefore represent valuable targets for therapeutic intervention. BPTF (Bromodomain PhD Transcription Factor), a core subunit of the nucleosome remodeling factor (NURF), modulates c-MYC oncogenic activity in pancreatic cancer. Here, we analyze the role of BPTF in c-MYC-driven B-cell lymphomagenesis using the Eμ-Myc transgenic mouse model of aggressive B-cell lymphoma. We find that BPTF is required for normal B-cell differentiation without evidence of haploinsufficiency. In contrast, deletion of one Bptf allele is sufficient to delay lymphomagenesis in Eμ-Myc mice. Tumors arising in a Bptf heterozygous background display decreased c-MYC levels and pathway activity, together with increased activation of the NF-κB pathway, a molecular signature characteristic of human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In human B-cell lymphoma samples, we find a strong correlation between BPTF and c-MYC mRNA and protein levels, together with an anti-correlation between BPTF and NF-κB pathway activity. Our results indicate that BPTF is a relevant therapeutic target in B-cell lymphomas and that, upon its inhibition, cells acquire distinct oncogenic dependencies.

Inflammatory immune cells may impair the preBCR checkpoint, reduce new B cell production, and alter the antibody repertoire in old age

Aging impairs development of new B cells and diminishes the expression of protective antibodies. Reduced numbers of B cell precursors generally occur in old (~2 yrs.) mice. At the pro-B to pre-B cell transition, the pre-B cell receptor (preBCR) checkpoint directs pre-B cell expansion and selection of the pre-B cell immunoglobulin (Ig) μ heavy chain variable region repertoire. The preBCR is comprised of Ig μ heavy chain + surrogate light chains (SLC; λ5/VpreB). In old B cell precursors, SLC is decreased and fewer pre-B cells form the preBCR. In pro-B cells, SLC is complexed with cadherin 17 to form a "pro-B cell receptor" whose signaling is postulated to increase apoptotic sensitivity. We propose that inflammation in old mice, in part mediated by the age-associated B cells (ABC), promotes apoptosis among pro-B cells, particularly those relatively high in SLC. The remaining pro-B cells, with lower SLC, now generate pre-B cells with limited capacity to form the preBCR. Ig μ heavy chains vary in their capacity to associate with SLC and form the preBCR. We speculate that limited SLC restricts formation of the preBCR to a subset of Ig μ heavy chains. This likely impacts the composition of the antibody repertoire among B cells.

Developmental stage-specific effects of Pim-1 dysregulation on murine bone marrow B cell development

Background

The serine threonine kinase Pim-1 has documented roles in hematopoietic progenitor and B cell precursor proliferation and survival. Pim-1 is a molecular target of the transcription factor Hoxa9. Previous studies showed that Pim-1 deficiency phenocopied the hematopoietic progenitor defect in hoxa9-/- mice and forced expression of Pim-1 normalized the in vitro proliferation defect inherent to hoxa9-/- hematopoietic progenitors. Pim-1 is induced by cytokine signaling, including the early lymphoid/B lineage regulators Flt3 and IL-7, and expression levels were shown to influence the size of the B cell compartment in bone marrow (BM).

Results

In this study, we sought to determine if transgenic expression of Pim-1, driven by the immunoglobulin enhancer, Eμ, was sufficient to rescue the lymphoid/B cell precursor defect in hoxa9 or flt3-ligand (flt3l) deficient mice. Unexpectedly, expression of Eμ − Pim1 exacerbated lymphoid progenitor deficiencies in flt3l-/-, and to a lesser extent, hoxa9-/- mice. Furthermore, Eμ − Pim1 expression alone reduced early myeloid and lymphoid, but not erythroid, progenitors. In contrast, Pim-1 deficiency had no significant effect on early lymphoid/B cell development through the Pre-Pro-B cell stage, but caused a significant reduction in IgM⁻ B cell precursors. Importantly, loss of Pim-1 did not phenocopy hoxa9- or flt3l-deficiency on the lymphoid/early B cell progenitor pools.

Conclusions

These experimental findings demonstrate that Pim-1 overexpression has developmental-stage-specific effects on B lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis. Importantly, these suggest that Pim-1 deficiency does not contribute significantly to the early lymphoid/B cell developmental deficiency in hoxa9-/- or flt3l-/- mice.

Kras Is Critical for B Cell Lymphopoiesis

The three major Ras members, Kras, Hras, and Nras, are highly homologous and individual Ras genes can have distinct biological functions. Embryonic lethality of Kras-deficient mice precludes study of the biological functions of this Ras family member. In this study, we generated and examined mice with hematopoietic-specific deletion of Kras and bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice with B cell-specific targeted deletion of Kras. Hematopoietic-specific deletion of Kras impaired early B cell development at the pre-B cell stage and late B cell maturation, resulting in the reduction of BM pre-, immature, and mature B cells and peripheral follicular, marginal zone, and B1 mature B cells. In contrast, Kras deficiency did not affect T cell development. Studies of BM chimeric mice with B cell-specific deletion of Kras demonstrated that Kras deficiency intrinsically impaired B cell development. Kras deficiency reduced BCR-induced B cell proliferation and survival. Furthermore, Kras deficiency specifically impaired pre-BCR- and BCR-induced activation of the Raf-1/MEK/ERK pathway in pre-B and mature B cells, respectively. Thus, Kras is the unique Ras family member that plays a critical role in early B cell development and late B cell maturation through controlling the Raf-1/MEK/ERK pathway.

The pre-B-cell receptor checkpoint in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

The B-cell receptor (BCR) and its immature form, the precursor-BCR (pre-BCR), have a central role in the control of B-cell development, which is dependent on a sequence of cell-fate decisions at specific antigen-independent checkpoints. Pre-BCR expression provides the first checkpoint, which controls differentiation of pre-B to immature B-cells in normal haemopoiesis. Pre-BCR signalling regulates and co-ordinates diverse processes within the pre-B cell, including clonal selection, proliferation and subsequent maturation. In B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL), B-cell development is arrested at this checkpoint. Moreover, malignant blasts avoid clonal extinction by hijacking pre-BCR signalling in favour of the development of BCP-ALL. Here, we discuss three mechanisms that occur in different subtypes of BCP-ALL: (i) blocking pre-BCR expression; (ii) activating pre-BCR-mediated pro-survival and pro-proliferative signalling, while inhibiting cell cycle arrest and maturation; and (iii) bypassing the pre-BCR checkpoint and activating pro-survival signalling through pre-BCR independent alternative mechanisms. A complete understanding of the BCP-ALL-specific signalling networks will highlight their application in BCP-ALL therapy.

NMDA-receptor antagonists block B-cell function but foster IL-10 production in BCR/CD40-activated B cells

BACKGROUND

B cells are important effectors and regulators of adaptive and innate immune responses, inflammation and autoimmunity, for instance in anti-NMDA-receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. Thus, pharmacological modulation of B-cell function could be an effective regimen in therapeutic strategies. Since the non-competitive NMDAR antagonist memantine is clinically applied to treat advanced Alzheimer`s disease and ketamine is supposed to improve the course of resistant depression, it is important to know how these drugs affect B-cell function.

RESULTS

Non-competitive NMDAR antagonists impaired B-cell receptor (BCR)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced B-cell proliferation, reduced B-cell migration towards the chemokines SDF-1α and CCL21 and downregulated IgM and IgG secretion. Mechanistically, these effects were mediated through a blockade of Kv1.3 and KCa3.1 potassium channels and resulted in an attenuated Ca(2+)-flux and activation of Erk1/2, Akt and NFATc1. Interestingly, NMDAR antagonist treatment increased the frequency of IL-10 producing B cells after BCR/CD40 stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-competitive NMDAR antagonists attenuate BCR and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) B-cell signaling and effector function and can foster IL-10 production. Consequently, NMDAR antagonists may be useful to target B cells in autoimmune diseases or pathological systemic inflammation. The drugs' additional side effects on B cells should be considered in treatments of neuronal disorders with NMDAR antagonists.

Orchestrating B cell lymphopoiesis through interplay of IL-7 receptor and pre-B cell receptor signalling

The development of B cells is dependent on the sequential DNA rearrangement of immunoglobulin loci that encode subunits of the B cell receptor. The pathway navigates a crucial checkpoint that ensures expression of a signalling-competent immunoglobulin heavy chain before commitment to rearrangement and expression of an immunoglobulin light chain. The checkpoint segregates proliferation of pre-B cells from immunoglobulin light chain recombination and their differentiation into B cells. Recent advances have revealed the molecular circuitry that controls two rival signalling systems, namely the interleukin-7 (IL-7) receptor and the pre-B cell receptor, to ensure that proliferation and immunoglobulin recombination are mutually exclusive, thereby maintaining genomic integrity during B cell development.

Proteomic changes during B cell maturation: 2D-DIGE approach

B cells play a pivotal role in adaptive immune system, since they maintain a delicate balance between recognition and clearance of foreign pathogens and tolerance to self. During maturation, B cells progress through a series of developmental stages defined by specific phenotypic surface markers and the rearrangement and expression of immunoglobulin (Ig) genes. To get insight into B cell proteome during the maturation pathway, we studied differential protein expression in eight human cell lines, which cover four distinctive developmental stages; early pre-B, pre-B, plasma cell and immature B cell upon anti-IgM stimulation. Our two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and mass spectrometry based proteomic study indicates the involvement of large number of proteins with various functions. Notably, proteins related to cytoskeleton were relatively highly expressed in early pre-B and pre-B cells, whereas plasma cell proteome contained endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi system proteins. Our long time series analysis in anti-IgM stimulated Ramos B cells revealed the dynamic regulation of cytoskeleton organization, gene expression and metabolic pathways, among others. The findings are related to cellular processes in B cells and are discussed in relation to experimental information for the proteins and pathways they are involved in. Representative 2D-DIGE maps of different B cell maturation stages are available online at http://structure.bmc.lu.se/BcellProteome/.

Functional redundancy of Sos1 and Sos2 for lymphopoiesis and organismal homeostasis and survival

Sos1 and Sos2 are ubiquitously expressed, universal Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Ras-GEFs) acting in multiple signal transduction pathways activated by upstream cellular kinases. The embryonic lethality of Sos1 null mutants has hampered ascertaining the specific in vivo contributions of Sos1 and Sos2 to processes controlling adult organism survival or development of hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic organs, tissues, and cell lineages. Here, we generated a tamoxifen-inducible Sos1-null mouse strain allowing analysis of the combined disruption of Sos1 and Sos2 (Sos1/2) during adulthood. Sos1/2 double-knockout (DKO) animals died precipitously, whereas individual Sos1 and Sos2 knockout (KO) mice were perfectly viable. A reduced percentage of total bone marrow precursors occurred in single-KO animals, but a dramatic depletion of B-cell progenitors was specifically detected in Sos1/2 DKO mice. We also confirmed a dominant role of Sos1 over Sos2 in early thymocyte maturation, with almost complete thymus disappearance and dramatically higher reduction of absolute thymocyte counts in Sos1/2 DKO animals. Absolute counts of mature B and T cells in spleen and peripheral blood were unchanged in single-KO mutants, while significantly reduced in Sos1/2 DKO mice. Our data demonstrate functional redundancy between Sos1 and Sos2 for homeostasis and survival of the full organism and for development and maturation of T and B lymphocytes.

Antigen and cytokine receptor signals guide the development of the naïve mature B cell repertoire

Immature B cells are generated daily in the bone marrow tissue. More than half of the newly generated immature B cells are autoreactive and bind a self-antigen, while the others are nonautoreactive. A selection process has evolved on the one hand to thwart development of autoreactive immature B cells and, on the other hand, to promote further differentiation of nonautoreactive immature B cells into transitional and mature B cells. These negative and positive selection events are carefully regulated by signals that emanate from the antigen receptor, whether antigen-mediated or tonic, and are influenced by signals that are generated by receptors that bind cytokines, chemokines, and other factors produced in the bone marrow tissue. These signals, therefore, are the predominant driving forces for the generation of a B cell population that is capable of protecting the body from infections while maintaining self-tolerance. Here, we review recent findings from our group and others that describe how tonic antigen receptor signaling and bone marrow cytokines regulate the selection of immature B cells.

RRas2, RhoG and T-cell phagocytosis

Activating mutations and overexpression of classical Ras subfamily members (K-Ras, N-Ras and H-Ras) have been widely investigated as key events in the development of human cancers. The role in cancer of its closest relatives, the Ras-related (RRas) subfamily members, has been less studied despite the fact that one of its members (TC21 or RRas2) is strongly transforming in vitro. Nevertheless, and in spite the paucity of publications, several studies have shown that wild type TC21 is overexpressed in different types of carcinomas and lymphomas. If the study of RRas members in cancer is still in its infancy, their role in physiological functions is even behind. For instance, T and B cell immunologists still use the vague term "Ras activation" without indication of what Ras family molecule is indeed intervening. In this view, we discuss the participation of TC21 in the specific process of T cell antigen receptor internalization from the immunological synapse and acquisition of membrane fragments from the antigen presenting cells by phagocytosis.

Hematopoietic protein-1 regulates the actin membrane skeleton and membrane stability in murine erythrocytes

Hematopoietic protein-1 (Hem-1) is a hematopoietic cell specific member of the WAVE (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome verprolin-homologous protein) complex, which regulates filamentous actin (F-actin) polymerization in many cell types including immune cells. However, the roles of Hem-1 and the WAVE complex in erythrocyte biology are not known. In this study, we utilized mice lacking Hem-1 expression due to a non-coding point mutation in the Hem1 gene to show that absence of Hem-1 results in microcytic, hypochromic anemia characterized by abnormally shaped erythrocytes with aberrant F-actin foci and decreased lifespan. We find that Hem-1 and members of the associated WAVE complex are normally expressed in wildtype erythrocyte progenitors and mature erythrocytes. Using mass spectrometry and global proteomics, Coomassie staining, and immunoblotting, we find that the absence of Hem-1 results in decreased representation of essential erythrocyte membrane skeletal proteins including α- and β- spectrin, dematin, p55, adducin, ankyrin, tropomodulin 1, band 3, and band 4.1. Hem1^−/− erythrocytes exhibit increased protein kinase C-dependent phosphorylation of adducin at Ser724, which targets adducin family members for dissociation from spectrin and actin, and subsequent proteolysis. Increased adducin Ser724 phosphorylation in Hem1^−/− erythrocytes correlates with decreased protein expression of the regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which is required for PP2A-dependent dephosphorylation of PKC targets. These results reveal a novel, critical role for Hem-1 in the homeostasis of structural proteins required for formation and stability of the actin membrane skeleton in erythrocytes.

The importance of the Erk pathway in the development of linker for activation of T cells-mediated autoimmunity

The ability of the transmembrane adaptor protein linker for activation of T cells (LAT) to regulate T cell development, activation, survival, and homeostasis depends upon phosphorylation of its multiple tyrosine residues. The mutation of tyrosine 136 on LAT abrogates its interaction with phospholipase C-γ1, causing severe ramifications on TCR-mediated signaling. Mice harboring this mutation, LATY136F mice, have significantly impaired thymocyte development; however, they rapidly develop a fatal lymphoproliferative disease marked by the uncontrolled expansion of Th2-skewed CD4(+) T cells, high levels of IgE and IgG1, and autoantibody production. In this study, we assessed the contribution of multiple signaling pathways in LATY136F disease development. The deletion of the critical signaling proteins Gads and RasGRP1 caused a further block in thymocyte development, but, over time, could not prevent CD4(+) T cell hyperproliferation. Also, restoring signaling through the NF-κB and NFAT pathways was unable to halt the development of disease. However, expression of a constitutively active Raf transgene enhanced lymphoproliferation, indicating a role for the Ras-MAPK pathway in LAT-mediated disease.

Critical function for the Ras-GTPase activating protein RASA3 in vertebrate erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis

Phenotype-driven approaches to gene discovery using inbred mice have been instrumental in identifying genetic determinants of inherited blood dyscrasias. The recessive mutant scat (severe combined anemia and thrombocytopenia) alternates between crisis and remission episodes, indicating an aberrant regulatory feedback mechanism common to erythrocyte and platelet formation. Here, we identify a missense mutation (G125V) in the scat Rasa3 gene, encoding a Ras GTPase activating protein (RasGAP), and elucidate the mechanism producing crisis episodes. The mutation causes mislocalization of RASA3 to the cytosol in scat red cells where it is inactive, leading to increased GTP-bound Ras. Erythropoiesis is severely blocked in scat crisis mice, and ~94% succumb during the second crisis (~30 d of age) from catastrophic hematopoietic failure in the spleen and bone marrow. Megakaryopoiesis is also defective during crisis. Notably, the scat phenotype is recapitulated in zebrafish when rasa3 is silenced. These results highlight a critical, conserved, and nonredundant role for RASA3 in vertebrate hematopoiesis.

Transgenic overexpression of G5PR that is normally augmented in centrocytes impairs the enrichment of high-affinity antigen-specific B cells, increases peritoneal B-1a cells, and induces autoimmunity in aged female mice

To investigate signals that control B cell selection, we examined expression of G5PR, a regulatory subunit of the serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A, which suppresses JNK phosphorylation. G5PR is upregulated in activated B cells, in Ki67-negative centrocytes at germinal centers (GCs), and in purified B220(+)Fas(+)GL7(+) mature GC B cells following Ag immunization. G5PR rescues transformed B cells from BCR-mediated activation-induced cell death by suppression of late-phase JNK activation. In G5PR-transgenic (G5PR(Tg)) mice, G5PR overexpression leads to an augmented generation of GC B cells via an increase in non-Ag-specific B cells and a consequent reduction in the proportion of Ag-specific B cells and high-affinity Ab production after immunization with nitrophenyl-conjugated chicken γ-globulin. G5PR overexpression impaired the affinity-maturation of Ag-specific B cells, presumably by diluting the numbers of high-affinity B cells. However, aged nonimmunized female G5PR(Tg) mice showed an increase in the numbers of peritoneal B-1a cells and the generation of autoantibodies. G5PR overexpression did not affect the proliferation of B-1a and B-2 cells but rescued B-1a cells from activation-induced cell death in vitro. G5PR might play a pivotal role in B cell selection not only for B-2 cells but also for B-1 cells in peripheral lymphoid organs.

Disruption of Fnip1 reveals a metabolic checkpoint controlling B lymphocyte development

The coordination of nutrient and energy availability with cell growth and division is essential for proper immune cell development and function. By using a chemical mutagenesis strategy in mice, we identified a pedigree that has a complete block in B cell development at the pre-B cell stage resulting from a deletion in the Fnip1 gene. Enforced expression of an immunoglobulin transgene failed to rescue B cell development. Whereas essential pre-B cell signaling molecules were activated normally in Fnip1-null pre-B cells, the metabolic regulators AMPK and mTOR were dysregulated, resulting in excessive cell growth and enhanced sensitivity to apoptosis in response to metabolic stress (pre-B cell receptor crosslinking, oncogene activation). These results indicate that Folliculin-interacting protein 1 (Fnip1) is vital for B cell development and metabolic homeostasis and reveal a metabolic checkpoint that may ensure that pre-B cells have sufficient metabolic capacity to support division, while limiting lymphomagenesis caused by deregulated growth.

A role for IL-27 in limiting T regulatory cell populations

IL-27 is a cytokine that regulates Th function during autoimmune and pathogen-induced immune responses. Although previous studies have shown that regulatory T cells (Tregs) express the IL-27R, and that IL-27 inhibits forkhead box P3 upregulation in vitro, little is known about how IL-27 influences Tregs in vivo. The studies presented in this article show that mice that overexpress IL-27 had decreased Treg frequencies and developed spontaneous inflammation. Although IL-27 did not cause mature Tregs to downregulate forkhead box P3, transgenic overexpression in vivo limited the size of a differentiating Treg population in a bone marrow chimera model, which correlated with reduced production of IL-2, a vital cytokine for Treg maintenance. These data identify an indirect role for IL-27 in shaping the Treg pool.

Effect of Xpcl1 activation and p27(Kip1) loss on gene expression in murine lymphoma

Mice lacking the p27(Kip1) Cdk inhibitor (Cdkn1b) exhibit increased susceptibility to lymphomas from the Maloney murine leukemia virus (M-MuLV), and exhibit a high frequency of viral integrations at Xpcl1 (Kis2), a locus on the X-chromosome. Xpcl1 encodes miR-106a~363, a cluster of microRNAs that are expressed in response to adjacent retroviral integrations. We report the first large-scale profile of microRNA expression in MuLV-induced lymphomas, in combination with microarray gene expression analysis. The source material was T-cell lymphomas induced by M-MuLV in p27(Kip1) knockout mice and normal thymus. Surprisingly, the overall levels of miRNA expression were equivalent in lymphomas and normal thymus. Nonetheless, the expression of specific microRNAs was altered in tumors. The miR-106a~363 miRNA were over-expressed in lymphomas, particularly those with viral integrations at the Xpcl1 locus. In contrast, p27(Kip1) deletion itself was associated with a different pattern of microRNA expression. Gene expression was dramatically altered in lymphomas, yet paralleled data from T-cell lymphomas induced by other mechanisms. Genes with altered expression in association with the p27(Kip1) null genotype were of similar functional classes to those associated with Xpcl1 integration, but with the opposite pattern of expression. Thus, the effect of p27(Kip1) deletion may be to oppose an anti-oncogenic effect of Xpcl1 rather than enhancing its oncogenic functions. A subset of miR-106a~363 target genes was consistently reduced in lymphomas with Xpcl1 integrations, particularly genes with cell cycle and immune functions. We identify four predicted target genes of miR-106a~363 miRNA, including N-Myc (Mycn), and the TGF-beta receptor (Tgfbr2) using 3'UTR reporter assays. Still, bioinformatic miRNA target predictions were poor predictors of altered gene expression in lymphomas with Xpcl1 integration. Confirmation of miR-106a~363 gene targeting relevant to the tumor phenotype requires in vivo validation, because only a subset of predicted targets are consistently reduced in tumors that overexpress miR-106a~363.

Immunoinhibitory adapter protein Src homology domain 3 lymphocyte protein 2 (SLy2) regulates actin dynamics and B cell spreading

Appropriate B cell activation is essential for adaptive immunity. In contrast to the molecular mechanisms that regulate positive signaling in immune responses, the counterbalancing negative regulatory pathways remain insufficiently understood. The Src homology domain 3 (SH3)-containing adapter protein SH3 lymphocyte protein 2 (SLy2, also known as hematopoietic adapter-containing SH3 and sterile α-motif (SAM) domains 1; HACS1) is strongly up-regulated upon B cell activation and functions as an endogenous immunoinhibitor in vivo, but the underlying molecular mechanisms of SLy2 function have been elusive. We have generated transgenic mice overexpressing SLy2 in B and T cells and have studied the biological effects of elevated SLy2 levels in Jurkat and HeLa cells. Our results demonstrate that SLy2 induces Rac1-dependent membrane ruffle formation and regulates cell spreading and polarization and that the SLy2 SH3 domain is essential for these effects. Using immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy, we provide evidence that the actin nucleation-promoting factor cortactin is an SH3 domain-directed interaction partner of SLy2. Consistent with an important role of SLy2 for actin cytoskeletal reorganization, we further show that SLy2-transgenic B cells are severely defective in cell spreading. Together, our findings extend our mechanistic understanding of the immunoinhibitory roles of SLy2 in vivo and suggest that the physiological up-regulation of SLy2 observed upon B cell activation functions to counteract excessive B cell spreading.

A role for IL-27p28 as an antagonist of gp130-mediated signaling

The heterodimeric cytokine interleukin 27 (IL-27) signals through the IL-27Rα subunit of its receptor, combined with gp130, a common receptor chain used by several cytokines, including IL-6. Notably, the IL-27 subunits p28 (IL-27p28) and EBI3 are not always expressed together, which suggests that they may have unique functions. Here we show that IL-27p28, independently of EBI3, antagonized cytokine signaling through gp130 and IL-6-mediated production of IL-17 and IL-10. Similarly, the ability to generate antibody responses was dependent on the activity of gp130-signaling cytokines. Mice transgenic for expression of IL-27p28 showed a substantial defect in the formation of germinal centers and antibody production. Thus, IL-27p28, as a natural antagonist of gp130-mediated signaling, may be useful as a therapeutic for managing inflammation mediated by cytokines that signal through gp130.

Tonic BCR signaling represses receptor editing via Raf- and calcium-dependent signaling pathways

Light chain receptor editing is an important mechanism that prevents B cell self-reactivity. We have previously shown that tonic signaling through the BCR represses RAG expression at the immature B cell stage, and that initiation of light chain rearrangements occurs in the absence of these tonic signals in an in vitro model of B cell development. To further test our hypothesis we studied the effect of itpkb deficiency (itpkb(-/-) mice) or Raf hyper-activation (Raf-CAAX transgenic mice), two mutations that enhance BCR signaling, on receptor editing in an in vivo model. This model relies on transferring bone marrow from wild-type or mutant mice into mice expressing an anti-kappa light chain transgene. The anti-kappa transgene induces receptor editing of all kappa light chain expressing B cells, leading to a high frequency of lambda light chain expressing B cells. Anti-κ transgenic recipients of bone marrow from itpkb(-/-) or Raf-CAAX mice showed lower levels of editing to λ light chain than did non-transgenic control recipients. These results provide evidence in an in vivo model that enhanced BCR signaling at the immature B cell stage of development suppresses light chain receptor editing.

Neural crest-derived pericytes promote egress of mature thymocytes at the corticomedullary junction

T cell egress from the thymus is essential for adaptive immunity, yet the requirements for and sites of egress are incompletely understood. We have shown that transgenic expression of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1) in immature thymocytes leads to their perivascular accumulation and premature release into circulation. Using an intravascular procedure to label emigrating cells, we found that mature thymocytes exit via blood vessels at the corticomedullary junction. By deleting sphingosine kinases in neural crest-derived pericytes, we provide evidence that these specialized vessel-ensheathing cells contribute to the S1P that promotes thymic egress. Lymphatic endothelial cell-derived S1P was not required. These studies identify the major thymic egress route and suggest a role for pericytes in promoting reverse transmigration of cells across blood vessel endothelium.

Ectopic expression of wild-type FGFR3 cooperates with MYC to accelerate development of B-cell lineage neoplasms

The t(4;14) translocation in multiple myeloma (MM) simultaneously dysregulates two apparent oncogenes: fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) controlled by the 3' immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer on der(14) and MMSET controlled by the intronic Emu enhancer on der(4). Although all MM tumors and cell lines with a t(4;14) translocation have dysregulated MMSET, about 25% do not express FGFR3. Therefore, the function of dysregulated wild-type (WT) FGFR3 in the pathogenesis of MM remains unclear. We developed a murine transgenic (TG) model in which WT FGFR3 is overexpressed in B lymphoid cells. Although high levels of FGFR3 resulted in lymphoid hyperplasia in about one-third of older mice, no increase in tumorigenesis was observed. However, double TG FGFR3/Myc mice develop mature B lymphoma tumors that occur with a higher penetrance and shorter latency than in single TG Myc mice (P=0.006). We conclude that expression of high levels of WT FGFR3 can be oncogenic and cooperate with MYC to generate B lymphoid tumors. This suggests that dysregulated FGFR3 expression is likely to be essential at least for the early stages of pathogenesis of MM tumors that have a t(4;14) translocation.

Ras activation of Erk restores impaired tonic BCR signaling and rescues immature B cell differentiation

B cell receptors (BCRs) generate tonic signals critical for B cell survival and early B cell development. To determine whether these signals also mediate the development of transitional and mature B cells, we examined B cell development using a mouse strain in which nonautoreactive immunoglobulin heavy and light chain–targeted B cells express low surface BCR levels. We found that reduced BCR expression translated into diminished tonic BCR signals that strongly impaired the development of transitional and mature B cells. Constitutive expression of Bcl-2 did not rescue the differentiation of BCR-low B cells, suggesting that this defect was not related to decreased cell survival. In contrast, activation of the Ras pathway rescued the differentiation of BCR-low immature B cells both in vitro and in vivo, whereas extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) inhibition impaired the differentiation of normal immature B cells. These results strongly suggest that tonic BCR signaling mediates the differentiation of immature into transitional and mature B cells via activation of Erk, likely through a pathway requiring Ras.

A role for S1P and S1P1 in immature-B cell egress from mouse bone marrow

B lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid organs requires sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and S1P receptor-1 (S1P1). However, whether S1P contributes to immature-B cell egress from the bone marrow (BM) has not been fully assessed. Here we report that in S1P- and S1P1-conditionally deficient mice, the number of immature-B cells in the BM parenchyma increased, while it decreased in the blood. Moreover, a slower rate of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation suggested immature-B cells spent longer in the BM of mice in which S1P1-S1P signaling was genetically or pharmacologically impaired. Transgenic expression of S1P1 in developing B cells was sufficient to mobilize pro- and pre-B cells from the BM. We conclude that the S1P1-S1P pathway contributes to egress of immature-B cells from BM, and that this mechanism is partially redundant with other undefined pathways.

A Flt3- and Ras-dependent pathway primes B cell development by inducing a state of IL-7 responsiveness

Ras plays an important role in B cell development. However, the stage at which Ras governs B cell development remains unclear. Moreover, the upstream receptors and downstream effectors of Ras that govern B cell differentiation remain undefined. Using mice that express a dominant-negative form of Ras, we demonstrate that Ras-mediated signaling plays a critical role in the development of common lymphoid progenitors. This developmental block parallels that found in flt3(-/-) mice, suggesting that Flt3 is an important upstream activator of Ras in early B cell progenitors. Ras inhibition impaired proliferation of common lymphoid progenitors and pre-pro-B cells but not pro-B cells. Rather, Ras promotes STAT5-dependent pro-B cell differentiation by enhancing IL-7Ralpha levels and suppressing socs2 and socs3 expression. Our results suggest a model in which Flt3/Ras-dependent signals play a critical role in B cell development by priming early B cell progenitors for subsequent STAT5-dependent B cell differentiation.

The adaptor protein Shc plays a key role during early B cell development

The adaptor protein Shc is phosphorylated downstream of many cell surface receptors, including Ag and cytokine receptors. However, the role of Shc in B cell development has not been addressed. Here, through conditional expression of a dominant negative Shc mutant and conditional loss of Shc protein expression, we tested a role for Shc during early B lymphopoiesis. We identified a requirement for Shc beginning at the transition from the pre-pro-B to pro-B stage, with a strong reduction in the number of pre-B cells. This developmental defect is due to increased cell death rather than impaired proliferation or commitment to the B lineage. Additional studies suggest a role for Shc in IL-7-dependent signaling in pro-B cells. Shc is phosphorylated in response to IL-7 stimulation in pro-B cells, and pro-B cells from mice with impaired Shc signaling display increased apoptosis. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role for Shc in early B lymphopoiesis with a requirement in early B cell survival. In addition, we also identify Shc as a required player in signaling downstream of the IL-7R in early B cells.

Ras orchestrates exit from the cell cycle and light-chain recombination during early B cell development

Signals through the pre-B cell antigen receptor (pre-BCR) and interleukin 7 receptor (IL-7R) coordinate pre-B cell population expansion with subsequent recombination of the locus encoding immunoglobulin kappa-chain (Igk). Although many 'downstream' effectors of each receptor are known, how they integrate to mediate development has remained unclear. Here we report that pre-BCR-mediated activation of the Ras-MEK-Erk signaling pathway silenced transcription of Ccnd3 (encoding cyclin D3) and coordinated exit from the cell cycle with induction of the transcription factor E2A and the initiation of Igk recombination. IL-7R-mediated activation of the transcription factor STAT5 opposed this pathway by promoting Ccnd3 expression and concomitantly inhibiting Igk transcription by binding to the Igk intronic enhancer and preventing E2A recruitment. Our data show how pre-BCR signaling poises pre-B cells to undergo differentiation after escape from IL-7R signaling.

Rap signaling is crucial for the competence of IL-7 response and the development of B-lineage cells

Rap family GTPases consist of multiple members with substantial functional redundancy. With the use of transgenic mice conditionally expressing a bona fide dominant-negative Rap1 mutant, Rap1A17, capable of inhibiting the activation of all Rap family members in B-lineage cells (mb.1-Rap1A17 Tg), we demonstrate that these mice show a defective generation of pre-B cells in bone marrow, resulting in a significant diminution of peripheral mainstream B cells. The effect is attributed to the impaired survival and expansion of B-lineage progenitors in response to IL-7, despite normal IL-7Ralpha expression. The pre-B cells from mb.1-Rap1A17 Tg mice showed a significantly reduced expression of c-myc and E2A, and the competence of IL-7 response was restored by the transduction of c-myc, but not by constitutively active (CA) Stat5a, CA PI3K-p100, or bcl-2. The residual follicular B cells with complete Cre-mediated recombination proliferated normally in response to B-cell receptor stimulation and showed efficient germinal center reaction in vivo. These results show that endogenous Rap signaling plays a crucial role selectively in B-lineage cell development by sustaining the competence for IL-7 response, whereas it is dispensable for mature B-cell function.

Mina, an Il4 repressor, controls T helper type 2 bias

T helper type 2 (T(H)2) bias, which is the propensity of naive CD4(+) T cells to differentiate into interleukin 4 (IL-4)-secreting T(H)2 cells, is a genetic trait that affects susceptibility to infectious, autoimmune and allergic diseases. T(H)2 bias correlates with the amount of IL-4 initially secreted by newly activated helper T cells that feeds back positively through the pathway of the IL-4 receptor and the transcription factors STAT6 and GATA-3 to drive T(H)2 development. Here we identify Mina, a member of the jumonji C (JmjC) protein family, as a genetic determinant of T(H)2 bias. Mina specifically bound to and repressed the Il4 promoter. Mina overexpression in transgenic mice impaired Il4 expression, whereas its knockdown in primary CD4(+) T cells led to Il4 derepression. Our findings collectively provide mechanistic insight into an Il4-regulatory pathway that controls helper T cell differentiation and genetic variation in T(H)2 bias.

A point mutation in the murine Hem1 gene reveals an essential role for Hematopoietic protein 1 in lymphopoiesis and innate immunity

Hem1 (Hematopoietic protein 1) is a hematopoietic cell-specific member of the Hem family of cytoplasmic adaptor proteins. Orthologues of Hem1 in Dictyostelium discoideum, Drosophila melanogaster, and Caenorhabditis elegans are essential for cytoskeletal reorganization, embryonic cell migration, and morphogenesis. However, the in vivo functions of mammalian Hem1 are not known. Using a chemical mutagenesis strategy in mice to identify novel genes involved in immune cell functions, we positionally cloned a nonsense mutation in the Hem1 gene. Hem1 deficiency results in defective F-actin polymerization and actin capping in lymphocytes and neutrophils caused by loss of the Rac-controlled actin-regulatory WAVE protein complex. T cell development is disrupted in Hem1-deficient mice at the CD4⁻CD8⁻ (double negative) to CD4⁺CD8⁺ (double positive) cell stages, whereas T cell activation and adhesion are impaired. Hem1-deficient neutrophils fail to migrate in response to chemotactic agents and are deficient in their ability to phagocytose bacteria. Remarkably, some Rac-dependent functions, such as Th1 differentiation and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)–dependent transcription of proinflammatory cytokines proceed normally in Hem1-deficient mice, whereas the production of Th17 cells are enhanced. These results demonstrate that Hem1 is essential for hematopoietic cell development, function, and homeostasis by controlling a distinct pathway leading to cytoskeletal reorganization, whereas NF-κB–dependent transcription proceeds independently of Hem1 and F-actin polymerization.

Effect of Ras inhibition in hematopoiesis and BCR/ABL leukemogenesis

Ras small GTPases are activated in many hematopoietic growth factor signaling and in hematological malignancies, but their role in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis is not completely known. Here we examined the effect of Ras inhibition by a dominant negative mutant of Ras, N17 H-Ras, in adult hematopoiesis and in BCR/ABL leukemogenesis using the mouse bone marrow transduction and transplantation approach. We found that N17 H-Ras expression suppressed B- and T-lymphopoiesis and erythropoiesis. Interestingly, N17 H-Ras did not suppress myelopoiesis in the bone marrow, yet it greatly attenuated BCR/ABL-induced chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)-like myeloproliferative disease. Most BCR/ABL + N17 H-Ras mice eventually developed pro-B lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (B-ALL). These results suggest that Ras activation is essential for the development of lymphoid and erythroid cells but not myeloid cells and that Ras is a critical target of BCR/ABL in the pathogenesis of CML, but not B-ALL.

Regulation of lymphocyte development by cell-type-specific interpretation of Notch signals

Notch signaling pathways exert diverse biological effects depending on the cellular context where Notch receptors are activated. How Notch signaling is integrated with environmental cues is a central issue. Here, we show that Notch activation accelerates ubiquitin-mediated and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent degradation of E2A transcription factors and Janus kinases, molecules essential for both B- and T-lymphocyte development. However, these events occur in B lymphocytes, but not T lymphocytes, due to their different levels of MAPK, thus providing one mechanism whereby Notch inhibits B-cell development without impairing T-cell differentiation. Lymphoid progenitors expressing a Notch-resistant E2A mutant differentiated into B-lineage cells on stromal cells expressing Notch ligands and in the thymus of transplant recipients. Bone marrow transplant assays and examination of steady-state B lymphopoiesis also revealed that the expression of Notch-resistant E2A and constitutively active STAT5 in mice neutralized the effects of Notch-induced degradation, allowing B-cell development through a bone marrow-like program in the thymus. These findings illustrate that Notch function can be influenced by MAPKs, producing distinct outcomes in different cellular contexts.

Conformational plasticity and navigation of signaling proteins in antigen-activated B lymphocytes

Over the past two decades our view of the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) has fundamentally changed. Being initially regarded as a mute antibody orphan of the B cell surface, the BCR turned out to be a complex multimolecular machine monitoring almost all stages of B cell development, selection, and activation through a plethora of ubiquitously and cell-type-specific effector proteins. A comprehensive understanding of the many BCR signaling facets is still out but a few common biochemical principles outlined in this review operate at the level of receptor activation and orchestrate specific wiring of intracellular transducer cascades. First, initiation and processing of antigen-induced signal transduction relies on transient conformational changes in the signaling proteins to trigger their physical interaction with downstream elements. Second, this dynamic assembly of signalosomes occurs at distinct subcellular locations, most prominently the plasma membrane, which requires dynamic relocalization of one or more of the engaged molecules. For both, precise complex formation and efficient subcellular targeting, B cell signaling components are equipped with a variety of protein interaction domains. Here we provide an overview on how these simple rules are applied by a limited number of transmembrane and cytosolic proteins to convert BCR ligation into Ca(2+) mobilization and Ras activation in an adjustable manner.

Role of CXCR5 and CCR7 in follicular Th cell positioning and appearance of a programmed cell death gene-1high germinal center-associated subpopulation

Th cell access to primary B cell follicles is dependent on CXCR5. However, whether CXCR5 induction on T cells is sufficient in determining their follicular positioning has been unclear. In this study, we find that transgenic CXCR5 overexpression is not sufficient to promote follicular entry of naive T cells unless the counterbalancing influence of CCR7 ligands is removed. In contrast, the positioning of Ag-engaged T cells at the B/T boundary could occur in the absence of CXCR5. The germinal center (GC) response was 2-fold reduced when T cells lacked CXCR5, although these T cells were able to access the GC. Finally, CXCR5(high)CCR7(low) T cells were found to have elevated IL-4 transcript and programmed cell death gene-1 (PD-1) expression, and PD-1(high) cells were reduced in the absence of T cell CXCR5 or in mice compromised in GC formation. Overall, these findings provide further understanding of how the changes in CXCR5 and CCR7 expression regulate Th cell positioning during Ab responses, and they suggest that development and/or maintenance of a PD-1(high) follicular Th cell subset is dependent on appropriate interaction with GC B cells.

Myc stimulates B lymphocyte differentiation and amplifies calcium signaling

Deregulated expression of the Myc family of transcription factors (c-, N-, and L-myc) contributes to the development of many cancers by a mechanism believed to involve the stimulation of cell proliferation and inhibition of differentiation. However, using B cell-specific c-/N-myc double-knockout mice and E(mu)-myc transgenic mice bred onto genetic backgrounds (recombinase-activating gene 2-/- and Btk-/- Tec-/-) whereby B cell development is arrested, we show that Myc is necessary to stimulate both proliferation and differentiation in primary B cells. Moreover, Myc expression results in sustained increases in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), which is required for Myc to stimulate B cell proliferation and differentiation. The increase in [Ca2+]i correlates with constitutive nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) nuclear translocation, reduced Ca2+ efflux, and decreased expression of the plasma membrane Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatase (PMCA) efflux pump. Our findings demonstrate a revised model whereby Myc promotes both proliferation and differentiation, in part by a remarkable mechanism whereby Myc amplifies Ca2+ signals, thereby enabling the concurrent expression of Myc- and Ca2+-regulated target genes.

Determining the role of specific signaling molecules during lymphocyte development in vivo: instant transgenesis

A common method of determining the role of specific signaling molecules during lymphocyte development is to generate a transgenic mouse. This procedure, while informative, is time consuming, expensive and ultimately does not guarantee a defined answer. Here we present a protocol in which the in vivo effects of a gene of interest on both B and T lymphocyte development may be determined simultaneously in a relatively short time period. This is achieved by introducing a defined gene, such as a wild-type or mutated signaling molecule, into a lymphoid progenitor population by retroviral infection. The retrovirus generates a bicistronic message encoding the gene of interest and GFP, thus enabling identification of retrovirally transduced cells in subsequent lymphocyte lineages. The cells are then introduced into mice deficient for recombinase activating gene 1 (Rag-/- mice), thus allowing the development of donor-derived B and T lymphocytes in vivo. Using this technique, results can be obtained within 3-8 weeks.

Raf kinases: function, regulation and role in human cancer

The Ras-Raf-MAPK pathway regulates diverse physiological processes by transmitting signals from membrane based receptors to various nuclear, cytoplasmic and membrane-bound targets, coordinating a large variety of cellular responses. Function of Raf family kinases has been shown to play a role during organism development, cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation and differentiation, cell survival and apoptosis and many other cellular and physiological processes. Aberrations along the Ras-Raf-MAPK pathway play an integral role in various biological processes concerning human health and disease. Overexpression or activation of the pathway components is a common indicator in proliferative diseases such as cancer and contributes to tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. In this review, we focus on the physiological roles of Raf kinases in normal and disease conditions, specifically cancer, and the current thoughts on Raf regulation.