Increased p190RhoGEF expression in activated B cells correlates with the induction of the plasma cell differentiation

Exp Mol Med. 2012 Feb 29;44(2):138-48. doi: 10.3858/emm.2012.44.2.009.

Abstract

Previously, we demonstrated that the p190 Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (p190RhoGEF) was induced following CD40 stimulation of B cells. In this study, we examined whether p190RhoGEF and a downstream effector molecule RhoA are required for B cell differentiation. Expression of p190RhoGEF positively correlated with the expression of surface markers and transcriptional regulators that are characteristic of mature B cells with plasma cell (PC) phenotypes. Moreover, either the overexpression of p190RhoGEF or the expression of a constitutively active RhoA drove cellular differentiation toward PC phenotypes. B cell maturation was abrogated in cells that overexpressed p190RhoGEF and a dominant-negative form of RhoA simultaneously. CD40-mediated maturation events were also abrogated in cells that overexpressed either dominant-negative p190RhoGEF or RhoA. Together, these data provide evidence that p190RhoGEF signaling through RhoA in CD40-activated B cells drives the induction of the PC differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Activation / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Plasma Cells / cytology*
  • Plasma Cells / metabolism*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • ARHGEF28 protein, human
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein