Differentiation-associated redox-regulation in human B cell lines from stem cell/pro-B to plasma cell

Immunol Lett. 2004 Jun 15;94(1-2):83-9. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2004.04.004.

Abstract

Redox-regulation of receptors and transcription factors are important for lymphocyte activation, differentiation and apoptosis. Thioredoxin (Trx) is a key redox-regulating protein and oxidative stress sensor operating in synergy with Trx-reductase and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). The expression of Trx, PDI, and the Trx-regulated transcription-factor Pax5 were analyzed in a panel of human B cell lines and were compared with that of the Bcl-2 family proteins, also redox-controlled. The panel included representative cells from various stages: FLEB14-4 (pro-B); REH and NALM-6 (pre-B); Rael and Daudi (small mature B); U-698 and NC0467.3 (B-blasts); LP-1, U-1996, and U-266 (plasma cells). We found a significant congruence and co-variation of Trx and Bcl-2 levels in the B-lineage, with high expression levels in early stages (pro-B and pre-B) and in the late stage representing terminally-differentiated plasma cells, whereas mid-stage small resting B cells showed a very low expression. PDI increased significantly in plasma-blasts and plasma cells, indicating its importance in the highly specialized immunoglobulin assembly-machinery, including disulfide-bond isomerization. Pax5 was expressed in early and mid-stages, but was silenced in terminal stages. We conclude that the high Trx and Bcl-2-expression early and late in the B cell maturation pathway reflects a redox-strategy favoring an increased survival potential of the B cells at those stages.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / analysis
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • PAX5 Transcription Factor
  • Plasma Cells / chemistry
  • Plasma Cells / cytology
  • Plasma Cells / metabolism*
  • Protein Disulfide-Isomerases / analysis
  • Protein Disulfide-Isomerases / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / analysis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Thioredoxins / analysis
  • Thioredoxins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PAX5 Transcription Factor
  • PAX5 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Transcription Factors
  • Thioredoxins
  • Protein Disulfide-Isomerases