Growth-factor receptor-bound protein-2 (Grb2) signaling in B cells controls lymphoid follicle organization and germinal center reaction

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 May 10;108(19):7926-31. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1016451108. Epub 2011 Apr 20.

Abstract

Grb2 (growth-factor receptor-bound protein-2) is a signaling adaptor that interacts with numerous receptors and intracellular signaling molecules. However, its role in B-cell development and function remains unknown. Here we show that ablation of Grb2 in B cells results in enhanced B-cell receptor signaling; however, mutant B cells do not form germinal centers in the spleen after antigen stimulation. Furthermore, mutant mice exhibit defects in splenic architecture resembling that observed in B-cell-specific lymphotoxin-β-deficient mice, including disruption of marginal zone and follicular dendritic cell networks. We find that grb2(-/-) B cells are defective in lymphotoxin-β expression. Although lymphotoxin can be up-regulated by chemokine CXCL13 and CD40 ligand stimulation in wild-type B cells, elevation of lymphotoxin expression in grb2(-/-) B cells is only induced by anti-CD40 but not by CXCL13. Our results thus define Grb2 as a nonredundant regulator that controls lymphoid follicle organization and germinal center reaction. Loss of Grb2 has no effect on B-cell chemotaxis to CXCL13, indicating that Grb2 executes this function by connecting the CXCR5 signaling pathway to lymphotoxin expression but not to chemotaxis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD40 Ligand / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Chemokine CXCL13 / immunology
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein / deficiency
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein / genetics
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein / immunology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Germinal Center / cytology
  • Germinal Center / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphotoxin-beta / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, CXCR5 / immunology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / immunology

Substances

  • CXCR5 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CXCL13
  • Cxcl13 protein, mouse
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • Grb2 protein, mouse
  • Ltb protein, mouse
  • Lymphotoxin-beta
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • CD40 Ligand