PU.1/Spi-B regulation of c-rel is essential for mature B cell survival

Immunity. 2001 Oct;15(4):545-55. doi: 10.1016/s1074-7613(01)00219-9.

Abstract

PU.1(+/-)Spi-B(-/-) mice exhibit reduced numbers of immature and mature B lymphocytes, which exhibit severe defects in response to BCR-mediated stimulation and poor survival. We found that expression of c-rel, a member of the Rel/NF-kappa B family, is dramatically reduced in PU.1(+/-)Spi-B(-/-) splenic B cells. Analysis of the murine c-rel promoter identified three PU.1/Spi-B binding sites critical for c-rel promoter activity. Furthermore, reintroduction of Rel protein restored wild-type B cell numbers to mice reconstituted with PU.1(+/-)Spi-B(-/-) bone marrow. These findings are the first to demonstrate that a member of the Rel/NF-kappa B family is directly regulated by Ets proteins and dissect the molecular basis for the function of two Ets factors, PU.1 and Spi-B, in promoting B lymphocyte survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Binding Sites
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / physiology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • proto-oncogene protein Spi-1
  • SPIB protein, human