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<div class="PlainText">Mix N Mingle directly following the seminar in SE1 390.<br>
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Abstract:<br>
How are spurious responses to self-antigens normally suppressed in B cells? The Nr4a1, 2, and 3 genes encode a small family of orphan nuclear receptors Nur77, Nurr1, and Nor1 respectively, that share significant structural similarities in their DNA and ligand
binding domains, and functional homology in vivo. Nr4a1-3 are among a small set of primary response genes (PRGs) that are rapidly and robustly induced in response to antigen receptor stimulation in lymphocytes, yet little is known about their function in B
cells. Here we present data to suggest that Nur77 (Nr4a1) selectively restrains self-reactive B cells.<br>
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We have identified independent roles for Nur77 in mediating both BCR-induced proliferation and cell death, in part by restraining transcription of other PRGs. Indeed, deletion of Nr4a1 is sufficient to markedly amplify T-independent immune responses.<br>
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In addition to upregulation by acute BCR stimulation, we have recently shown that Nur77 is also upregulated by chronic antigen stimulation in naturally occurring, highly self-reactive B-1a cells. Deletion of Nur77 in B-1a cells results in a marked expansion
of IgM plasma cells and increased natural IgM serum Ab under steady-state conditions.<br>
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We have also identified selective upregulation of Nur77 expression in autoreactive B cells from two mouse models of B cell anergy: VH3H9 heavy chain (HC) and Ig-HEL / soluble-HEL. We find that Nur77 expression is largely dispensible for receptor editing, deletion,
IgM downregulation and anergic BCR signaling by self-reactive B cells. However, we identify a role for Nur77 in restraining survival of chronically antigen-stimulated B cells. Moreover, we find that Nur77-deficiency is sufficient to break B cell tolerance
in VH3H9 HC mice.<br>
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We thus propose that Nur77 mediates negative feedback downstream of robust antigen stimulation in B cells, and is upregulated in response to chronic antigen stimulation where it imposes a novel layer of tolerance by restricting the survival of self-reactive
B cells.<br>
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Fred W Wolf, Ph.D.<br>
Assistant Professor<br>
Natural Sciences / UC Merced<br>
5200 N. Lake Rd. Merced, CA 95343<br>
415.370.1132<br>
fwolf@ucmerced.edu<br>
<a href="http://faculty.ucmerced.edu/fwolf/">http://faculty.ucmerced.edu/fwolf/</a><br>
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