Notch activity synergizes with B-cell-receptor and CD40 signaling to enhance B-cell activation

Blood. 2007 Apr 15;109(8):3342-50. doi: 10.1182/blood-2006-09-046698. Epub 2006 Dec 19.

Abstract

How diverse environmental cues are integrated to regulate B-cell activation and development remains poorly understood. Here we show that Notch activity synergizes with B-cell receptor (BCR) and/or CD40 signaling to enhance several aspects of B-cell activation and function. We find that costimulation of follicular B cells with the Notch ligand Delta-like-1 leads to significant increases in BCR- and CD40-mediated proliferation and enhances production of IgG1(+) cells in vitro and in vivo. We further find that coengagement of Notch and the BCR results in increased activation of the MAPK pathway, and MAPK and Notch inhibitors prevent B-cell activation events mediated by coengagement of Notch and the BCR. These data suggest that the BCR and CD40 signaling pathways collaborate with the Notch pathway to optimize B-cell activation.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD40 Antigens / immunology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / immunology*
  • Receptors, Notch / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Notch / immunology*

Substances

  • CD40 Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • Receptors, Notch
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases