MicroRNAs regulate B-cell receptor signaling-induced apoptosis

Genes Immun. 2012 Apr;13(3):239-44. doi: 10.1038/gene.2012.1. Epub 2012 Feb 23.

Abstract

Apoptosis induced by B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling is critical for antigen-driven selection, a process critical to tolerance and immunity. Here, we examined the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in BCR signaling-induced apoptosis using the widely applied WEHI-231 model. Comparison of miRNA levels in BCR-stimulated and -unstimulated cells revealed that 39 miRNAs were differentially expressed upon stimulation of the BCR. Importantly, stimulation in the presence of anti-CD40 antibodies, which rescues cells from BCR-induced apoptosis, prevented most changes in miRNA expression. Ectopic expression of mir-150 and mir-181a1b1, miRNAs that were upregulated upon BCR stimulation, resulted in inhibition of cell growth. Finally, we showed that ectopic expression of mir-150, mir-181a1b1 and mir-17∼92 sensitized cells to anti-IgM stimulation-induced growth inhibition. Together, these results demonstrate that miRNAs are involved in BCR signaling, suggesting that they may have important roles in the regulation of B cell-mediated tolerance and immunity.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Mirn150 microRNA, mouse
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • mirn181 microRNA, mouse