Molecular functions of the transcription factors E2A and E2-2 in controlling germinal center B cell and plasma cell development

J Exp Med. 2016 Jun 27;213(7):1201-21. doi: 10.1084/jem.20152002. Epub 2016 Jun 3.

Abstract

E2A is an essential regulator of early B cell development. Here, we have demonstrated that E2A together with E2-2 controlled germinal center (GC) B cell and plasma cell development. As shown by the identification of regulated E2A,E2-2 target genes in activated B cells, these E-proteins directly activated genes with important functions in GC B cells and plasma cells by inducing and maintaining DNase I hypersensitive sites. Through binding to multiple enhancers in the Igh 3' regulatory region and Aicda locus, E-proteins regulated class switch recombination by inducing both Igh germline transcription and AID expression. By regulating 3' Igk and Igh enhancers and a distal element at the Prdm1 (Blimp1) locus, E-proteins contributed to Igk, Igh, and Prdm1 activation in plasmablasts. Together, these data identified E2A and E2-2 as central regulators of B cell immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Cytidine Deaminase / genetics
  • Cytidine Deaminase / immunology
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic / immunology
  • Germinal Center / cytology
  • Germinal Center / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin Class Switching / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Plasma Cells / cytology
  • Plasma Cells / immunology*
  • Transcription Factor 4

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Leucine Zipper Transcription Factors
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Tcf3 protein, mouse
  • Tcf4 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factor 4
  • AICDA (activation-induced cytidine deaminase)
  • Cytidine Deaminase

Associated data

  • RefSeq/NR_046144.1
  • GENBANK/BK000964.1