Aiolos regulates B cell activation and maturation to effector state.
Wang JH,
Avitahl N,
Cariappa A,
Friedrich C,
Ikeda T,
Renold A,
Andrikopoulos K,
Liang L,
Pillai S,
Morgan BA,
Georgopoulos K.
Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown 02129, USA.
Aiolos encodes a zinc finger DNA-binding protein that is highly expressed in mature B cells and is homologous to Ikaros. In the periphery of mice homozygous for an Aiolos-null mutation, B cells exhibit an activated cell surface phenotype and undergo augmented antigen receptor (BCR)-mediated in vitro proliferative responses, even at limiting amounts of stimulant. In vivo, T cell-dependent B cell responses, including the formation of germinal centers and elevated serum IgG and IgE, are detected in Aiolos-deficient mice in the absence of immunization. Auto-antibodies and development of B cell lymphomas are frequently seen among aging Aiolos mutants. In sharp contrast to conventional B cells, B cells of the peritoneum, of the marginal zone, and the recirculating bone marrow population are greatly reduced.
PMID: 9806640 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]