| First Author | Nündel K | Year | 2013 |
| Journal | J Leukoc Biol | Volume | 94 |
| Issue | 5 | Pages | 865-75 |
| PubMed ID | 23804807 | Mgi Jnum | J:209556 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5568065 | Doi | 10.1189/jlb.0313126 |
| Citation | Nundel K, et al. (2013) The role of Bruton's tyrosine kinase in the development and BCR/TLR-dependent activation of AM14 rheumatoid factor B cells. J Leukoc Biol 94(5):865-75 |
| abstractText | 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 naive 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. |
