Cochaperone Mzb1 is a key effector of Blimp1 in plasma cell differentiation and β1-integrin function

V Andreani, S Ramamoorthy… - Proceedings of the …, 2018 - National Acad Sciences
V Andreani, S Ramamoorthy, A Pandey, E Lupar, SL Nutt, T Lämmermann, R Grosschedl
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2018National Acad Sciences
Plasma cell differentiation involves coordinated changes in gene expression and functional
properties of B cells. Here, we study the role of Mzb1, a Grp94 cochaperone that is
expressed in marginal zone (MZ) B cells and during the terminal differentiation of B cells to
antibody-secreting cells. By analyzing Mzb1−/− Prdm1+/gfp mice, we find that Mzb1 is
specifically required for the differentiation and function of antibody-secreting cells in a T cell-
independent immune response. We find that Mzb1-deficiency mimics, in part, the phenotype …
Plasma cell differentiation involves coordinated changes in gene expression and functional properties of B cells. Here, we study the role of Mzb1, a Grp94 cochaperone that is expressed in marginal zone (MZ) B cells and during the terminal differentiation of B cells to antibody-secreting cells. By analyzing Mzb1−/−Prdm1+/gfp mice, we find that Mzb1 is specifically required for the differentiation and function of antibody-secreting cells in a T cell-independent immune response. We find that Mzb1-deficiency mimics, in part, the phenotype of Blimp1 deficiency, including the impaired secretion of IgM and the deregulation of Blimp1 target genes. In addition, we find that Mzb1−/− plasmablasts show a reduced activation of β1-integrin, which contributes to the impaired plasmablast differentiation and migration of antibody-secreting cells to the bone marrow. Thus, Mzb1 function is required for multiple aspects of plasma cell differentiation.
National Acad Sciences