Nek2 is a novel regulator of B cell development and immunological response

Biomed Res Int. 2014:2014:621082. doi: 10.1155/2014/621082. Epub 2014 Nov 17.

Abstract

The serine/threonine kinase Nek2 is commonly found upregulated in a wide variety of neoplasms including diffuse large B cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. High expression of Nek2 is implicated in the induction of chromosomal instability, promotion of cell proliferation, and drug resistance in tumor cells as well as a marker for poor clinical outcomes. Despite its well recorded involvement in chromosomal instability and neoplastic growth, little is known about the involvement of Nek2 in B cell development. Here we report the development of a transgenic mouse line with conditional expression of Nek2 in the B cell lineage and the effects it has on the development of B cells. Interestingly, we found that the overexpression of Nek2 does not induce spontaneous tumor formation within the transgenic mice up to 24 months after induction. Instead, overexpression of Nek2 in the B cell lineage affects the development of B cells by increasing the proportion of immature B cells in the bone marrow and decreasing B-1 B cells in peritoneal cavity. Furthermore, Nek2 transgenic mice develop spontaneous germinal centers and exhibit an enhanced T cell dependent immune response. Altogether, our data demonstrates a novel role for Nek2 in regulating B cell development and the immune response.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Lineage / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / genetics*
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / immunology
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics*
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • NIMA-Related Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / biosynthesis
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology

Substances

  • NIMA-Related Kinases
  • Nek2 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases