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Article
Identification of a negative regulatory role for Spi-C in the murine B cell lineage
Journal of Immunology
  • Stephen K.H. Li, Western University
  • Lauren A. Solomon, Western University
  • Patricia C. Fulkerson, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  • Rodney P. De Koter, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-15-2015
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.4049/jimmunol.1402432
Abstract

Spi-C is an E26 transformation-specific family transcription factor that is highly related to PU.1 and Spi-B. Spi-C is expressed in developing B cells, but its function in B cell development and function is not well characterized. To determine whether Spi-C functions as a negative regulator of Spi-B (encoded by Spib), mice were generated that were germline knockout for Spib and heterozygous for Spic (Spib-/-Spic+/-). Interestingly, loss of one Spic allele substantially rescued B cell frequencies and absolute numbers in Spib-/- mouse spleens. Spib-/-Spic+/- B cells had restored proliferation compared with Spib-/- B cells in response to anti-IgM or LPS stimulation. Investigation of a potential mechanism for the Spib-/-Spic+/- phenotype revealed that steady-state levels of Nfkb1, encoding p50, were elevated in Spib-/-Spic+/- B cells compared with Spib-/- B cells. Spi-B was shown to directly activate the Nfkb1 gene, whereas Spi-C was shown to repress this gene. These results indicate a novel role for Spi-C as a negative regulator of B cell development and function.

Citation Information
Stephen K.H. Li, Lauren A. Solomon, Patricia C. Fulkerson and Rodney P. De Koter. "Identification of a negative regulatory role for Spi-C in the murine B cell lineage" Journal of Immunology Vol. 194 Iss. 8 (2015) p. 3798 - 3807
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/rodney-dekoter/14/