N-wasp is essential for the negative regulation of B cell receptor signaling

PLoS Biol. 2013 Nov;11(11):e1001704. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001704. Epub 2013 Nov 5.

Abstract

Negative regulation of receptor signaling is essential for controlling cell activation and differentiation. In B-lymphocytes, the down-regulation of B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling is critical for suppressing the activation of self-reactive B cells; however, the mechanism underlying the negative regulation of signaling remains elusive. Using genetically manipulated mouse models and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we demonstrate that neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), which is coexpressed with WASP in all immune cells, is a critical negative regulator of B-cell signaling. B-cell-specific N-WASP gene deletion causes enhanced and prolonged BCR signaling and elevated levels of autoantibodies in the mouse serum. The increased signaling in N-WASP knockout B cells is concurrent with increased accumulation of F-actin at the B-cell surface, enhanced B-cell spreading on the antigen-presenting membrane, delayed B-cell contraction, inhibition in the merger of signaling active BCR microclusters into signaling inactive central clusters, and a blockage of BCR internalization. Upon BCR activation, WASP is activated first, followed by N-WASP in mouse and human primary B cells. The activation of N-WASP is suppressed by Bruton's tyrosine kinase-induced WASP activation, and is restored by the activation of SH2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase that inhibits WASP activation. Our results reveal a new mechanism for the negative regulation of BCR signaling and broadly suggest an actin-mediated mechanism for signaling down-regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Antigens / immunology
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, 129 Strain
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Protein Transport
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome / immunology
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome / metabolism
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein / metabolism
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal / physiology*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Antigens
  • Autoantibodies
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • Was protein, mouse
  • Wasl protein, mouse
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal