The simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen is a potent oncogene able to transform many cell types and has been implicated in leukemia and lymphoma. In this report, we have achieved sporadic SV40 T-antigen expression in mature B cells in mice,... more
The simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen is a potent oncogene able to transform many cell types and has been implicated in leukemia and lymphoma. In this report, we have achieved sporadic SV40 T-antigen expression in mature B cells in mice, by insertion of a SV40 T antigen gene in opposite transcriptional orientation in the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy (H) chain locus between the D and J(H) segments. SV40 T-antigen expression appeared to result from retention of the targeted germline allele and concomitant antisense transcription of SV40 large T in mature B cells, leading to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although B-cell development was unperturbed in young mice, aging mice showed accumulation of a monoclonal B-cell population in which the targeted IgH allele was in germline configuration and the wild-type IgH allele had a productive V(D)J recombination. These leukemic B cells were IgD(low)CD5(+) and manifested nonrandom usage of V, D, and J segments. V(H) regions were either unmutated, with preferential usage of the VH11 family, or manifested extensive somatic hypermutation. Our findings provide an animal model for B-CLL and show that pathways activated by SV40 T antigen play important roles in the pathogenesis of B-CLL.
Early B cell development is characterized by stepwise, ordered rearrangement of the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy (HC) and light (LC) chain genes. Only one of the two alleles of these genes is used to produce a receptor, a phenomenon referred... more
Early B cell development is characterized by stepwise, ordered rearrangement of the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy (HC) and light (LC) chain genes. Only one of the two alleles of these genes is used to produce a receptor, a phenomenon referred to as allelic exclusion. It has been suggested that pre–B cell receptor (pre-BCR) signals are responsible for down-regulation of the VDJH-recombinase machinery (Rag1, Rag2, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase [TdT]), thereby preventing further rearrangement on the second HC allele. Using a mouse model, we show that expression of an inducible μHC transgene in Rag2−/− pro–B cells induces down-regulation of the following: (a) TdT protein, (b) a transgenic green fluorescent protein reporter reflecting endogenous Rag2 expression, and (c) Rag1 primary transcripts. Similar effects were also observed in the absence of surrogate LC (SLC) components, but not in the absence of the signaling subunit Ig-α. Furthermore, in wild-type mice and in mice lackin...
To study B-cell development from bone marrow (BM), we generated recombination-activating gene 1 (Rag1)–targeted mice lacking mature lymphocytes. B-cell development can be induced in such mice by B cell–specific restoration of a functional... more
To study B-cell development from bone marrow (BM), we generated recombination-activating gene 1 (Rag1)–targeted mice lacking mature lymphocytes. B-cell development can be induced in such mice by B cell–specific restoration of a functional Rag1 transcription unit. Follicular and marginal zone B cells populated the spleen when Rag1 expression was permitted. Notably, the peritoneal cavity was dominated by bona fide B-1a cells, as judged by surface markers and functional properties. These BM-derived B-1a cells exhibited a polyclonal VDJ repertoire with substantial N nucleotide insertions. Nevertheless, physiologic frequencies of phosphatidylcholine-specific B cells were detected. Importantly, the BM of young and 5-month-old mice was indistinguishable with regard to the potential to generate B-1a cells.
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is required for normal B-cell development, as defects in Btk lead to X-linked immunodeficiency (xid) in mice and X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans. Here we demonstrate a functional interaction... more
Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is required for normal B-cell development, as defects in Btk lead to X-linked immunodeficiency (xid) in mice and X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) in humans. Here we demonstrate a functional interaction between the multifunctional transcription factor TFII-I and Btk. Ectopic expression of wild-type Btk enhances TFII-I-mediated transcriptional activation and its tyrosine phosphorylation in transient-transfection assays. Mutation of Btk in either the PH domain (R28C, as in the murine xid mutation) or the kinase domain (K430E) compromises its ability to enhance both the tyrosine phosphorylation and the transcriptional activity of TFII-I. TFII-I associates constitutively in vivo with wild-type Btk and kinase-inactive Btk but not xid Btk. However, membrane immunoglobulin M cross-linking in B cells leads to dissociation of TFII-I from Btk. We further show that while TFII-I is found in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of wild-type and xid primary resting B ...
Recently, our understanding of hematopoiesis and the development of the immune system has fundamentally changed, leading to significant discoveries with important clinical relevance. Hematopoiesis, once described in terms of irreversible... more
Recently, our understanding of hematopoiesis and the development of the immune system has fundamentally changed, leading to significant discoveries with important clinical relevance. Hematopoiesis, once described in terms of irreversible and discrete developmental branch points, is now understood to exist as a collection of alternative developmental pathways capable of generating functionally identical progeny. Developmental commitment to a particular blood-cell lineage is gradually acquired and reflects both cell intrinsic and extrinsic signals. Chief among the extrinsic factors are the environmental cues of hematopoietic microenvironments that comprise specific "developmental niches" that support hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Most of this new understanding comes from the study of normal, steady-state hematopoiesis, but there is ample reason to expect that special developmental and/or differentiative mechanisms operate in response to inflammation. For example, both stem and progenitor cells are now known to express Toll-like receptors that can influence hematopoietic cell fates in response to microbial products. Likewise, proinflammatory cytokines mobilize hematopoietic stem cells to peripheral tissues. In this Perspective, we review inflammation's effects on central and extramedullary B lymphopoiesis and discuss the potential consequences of peripheral B-cell development in the context of systemic autoimmune diseases.
Only mature B lymphocytes can enter the lymphoid follicles of spleen and lymph nodes and thus efficiently participate in the immune response. Mature, long-lived B lymphocytes derive from short-lived precursors generated in the bone... more
Only mature B lymphocytes can enter the lymphoid follicles of spleen and lymph nodes and thus efficiently participate in the immune response. Mature, long-lived B lymphocytes derive from short-lived precursors generated in the bone marrow. We show that selection into the ...
Summary The germinal center (GC) is an anatomic compartment found in peripheral lymphoid organs, wherein B cells undergo clonal expansion, somatic mutation, switch recombination, and reac- tivate immunoglobulin gene V(D)J recombination.... more
Summary The germinal center (GC) is an anatomic compartment found in peripheral lymphoid organs, wherein B cells undergo clonal expansion, somatic mutation, switch recombination, and reac- tivate immunoglobulin gene V(D)J recombination. As a result of somatic mutation, some GC B cells develop higher affinity antibodies, whereas others suffer mutations that decrease affinity, and still others may become self-reactive. It has been proposed that secondary V(D)J rearrange- ments in GCs might rescue B cells whose receptors are damaged by somatic mutations. Here we present evidence that mature human tonsil B cells coexpress conventional light chains and recombination associated genes, and that they extinguish recombination activating gene and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase expression when their receptors are cross-linked. Thus, the response of the recombinase to receptor engagement in peripheral B cells is the opposite of the response in developing B cells to the same stimulus. The...
The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix, thus involved in cellular migration. The extent and role of MMPs secretion in primary non-transformed B cells, and specifically during... more
The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix, thus involved in cellular migration. The extent and role of MMPs secretion in primary non-transformed B cells, and specifically during early stages of development in the bone marrow (BM), has been barely unveiled. Herein, we investigated the secretion of MMP-9 during B lymphopoiesis and its modulation in response to different mitogens and cytokines. To do so, we used our BM culture system and well-studied mutated mouse models to isolate the different B cell populations. Our results show that MMP-9 is spontaneously secreted throughout B lymphopoiesis, and that the level of secreted MMP-9 is developmentally regulated. Using reverse transcription-PCR, we found that IFNbetaR is expressed throughout B cell development, while tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alphaR-p55 and IFNgammaR expressions are initiated only at the pre-B stage. We found that TNFalpha stimulates MMP-9 secretion in transition...
