| First Author | Wei H | Year | 2021 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 207 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 799-808 |
| PubMed ID | 34301844 | Mgi Jnum | J:311563 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:6766084 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.2100059 |
| Citation | Wei H, et al. (2021) Protein Kinase CK2 Regulates B Cell Development and Differentiation. J Immunol 207(3):799-808 |
| abstractText | Protein kinase CK2 (also known as Casein Kinase 2) is a serine/threonine kinase composed of two catalytic subunits (CK2alpha and/or CK2alpha') and two regulatory CK2beta subunits. CK2 is overexpressed and overactive in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B cell lymphomas, leading to inappropriate activation of the NF-kappaB, JAK/STAT, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways and tumor growth. However, whether CK2 regulates normal B cell development and differentiation is not known. We generated mice lacking CK2alpha specifically in B cells (using CD19-driven Cre recombinase). These mice exhibited cell-intrinsic expansion of marginal zone B cells at the expense of transitional B cells, without changes in follicular B cells. Transitional B cells required CK2alpha to maintain adequate BCR signaling. In the absence of CK2alpha, reduced BCR signaling and elevated Notch2 signaling activation increased marginal zone B cell differentiation. Our results identify a previously unrecognized function for CK2alpha in B cell development and differentiation. |
