B cell homeostasis and plasma cell homing controlled by Krüppel-like factor 2

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Jan 11;108(2):710-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1012858108. Epub 2010 Dec 27.

Abstract

Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) controls T lymphocyte egress from lymphoid organs by regulating sphingosin-1 phosphate receptor 1 (S1Pr1). Here we show that this is not the case for B cells. Instead, KLF2 controls homeostasis of B cells in peripheral lymphatic organs and homing of plasma cells to the bone marrow, presumably by controlling the expression of β(7)-integrin. In mice with a B cell-specific deletion of KLF2, S1Pr1 expression on B cells was only slightly affected. Accordingly, all splenic B cell subsets including B1 cells were present, but their numbers were increased with a clear bias for marginal zone (MZ) B cells. In contrast, fewer peyers patches harboring fewer B cells were found, and fewer B1 cells in the peritoneal cavity as well as recirculating B cells in the bone marrow were detected. Upon thymus-dependent immunization, IgG titers were diminished, and antigen-specific plasma cells were absent in the bone marrow, although numbers of antigen-specific splenic plasmablasts were normal. KLF2 plays also a role in determining the identity of follicular B cells, as KLF2-deficient follicular B cells showed calcium responses similar to those of MZ B cells and failed to down-regulate MZ B cell signature genes, such as CD21 and CXCR7.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Fingolimod Hydrochloride
  • Gene Deletion
  • Integrin beta Chains / metabolism
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • L-Selectin / biosynthesis
  • Leukosialin / biosynthesis
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Plasma Cells / cytology*
  • Propylene Glycols / pharmacology
  • Receptors, IgE / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / metabolism
  • Sphingosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Sphingosine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Integrin beta Chains
  • Klf2 protein, mouse
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Leukosialin
  • Propylene Glycols
  • Receptors, IgE
  • Receptors, Lysosphingolipid
  • integrin beta7
  • L-Selectin
  • Fingolimod Hydrochloride
  • Sphingosine
  • Calcium