The role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase in the development and BCR/TLR-dependent activation of AM14 rheumatoid factor B cells
K Nündel, P Busto, M Debatis… - Journal of Leukocyte …, 2013 - academic.oup.com
K Nündel, P Busto, M Debatis, A Marshak-Rothstein
Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2013•academic.oup.comThe protein kinase Btk has been implicated in the development, differentiation, and
activation of B cells through its role in the BCR and TLR signaling cascades. These
receptors and in particular, the BCR and either TLR7 or TLR9 also play a critical role in the
activation of autoreactive B cells by RNA-or DNA-associated autoantigens. To explore the
role of Btk in the development of autoreactive B cells, as well as their responses to nucleic
acid-associated autoantigens, we have now compared Btk-sufficient and Btk-deficient mice …
activation of B cells through its role in the BCR and TLR signaling cascades. These
receptors and in particular, the BCR and either TLR7 or TLR9 also play a critical role in the
activation of autoreactive B cells by RNA-or DNA-associated autoantigens. To explore the
role of Btk in the development of autoreactive B cells, as well as their responses to nucleic
acid-associated autoantigens, we have now compared Btk-sufficient and Btk-deficient mice …
Abstract
The protein kinase Btk has been implicated in the development, differentiation, and activation of B cells through its role in the BCR and TLR signaling cascades. These receptors and in particular, the BCR and either TLR7 or TLR9 also play a critical role in the activation of autoreactive B cells by RNA- or DNA-associated autoantigens. To explore the role of Btk in the development of autoreactive B cells, as well as their responses to nucleic acid-associated autoantigens, we have now compared Btk-sufficient and Btk-deficient mice that express a prototypic RF BCR encoded by H- and L-chain sdTgs. These B cells bind autologous IgG2a with low affinity and only proliferate in response to IgG2a ICs that incorporate DNA or RNA. We found that Btk-sufficient RF+ B cells mature into naïve FO B cells, all of which express the Tg BCR, despite circulating levels of IgG2a. By contrast, a significant proportion of Btk-deficient RF+ B cells acquires a MZ or MZ precursor phenotype. Remarkably, despite the complete inability of RF+ Xid/y B cells to respond to F(ab′)2 anti-IgM, RF+ Xid/y B cells could respond well to autoantigen-associated ICs. These data reveal unique features of the signaling cascades responsible for the activation of autoreactive B cells.
