CD99 regulates CXCL12-induced chemotaxis of human plasma cells

Immunol Lett. 2015 Dec;168(2):329-36. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2015.10.015. Epub 2015 Nov 6.

Abstract

Migration of plasma cells (PCs) is crucial for the control of PC survival and antibody production and is controlled by chemokines, most importantly by CXCL12. This study investigated the role of CD99 in CXCL12-induced PC migration. Among B cell subsets in the tonsils, CD99 expression was highest in PCs. CD99 expression increased during in vitro differentiation of germinal center B cells and was highest in PCs. CD99 engagement reduced chemotactic migration of PCs toward CXCL12 and reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation by CXCL12. An ERK inhibitor reduced CXCL12-mediated chemotactic migration, which suggests that ERK has a critical role in migration. CD99 engagement did not influence apoptosis, differentiation, or antibody secretion of PCs. We propose a novel role of CD99 in PCs that suppresses ERK activation and chemotactic migration of these cells.

Keywords: CD99; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase; Migration; Plasma cell.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 12E7 Antigen
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / pharmacology*
  • Chemotaxis / drug effects*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Germinal Center / cytology
  • Germinal Center / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • L Cells
  • Mice
  • Plasma Cells / drug effects*
  • Plasma Cells / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • 12E7 Antigen
  • Antigens, CD
  • CD99 protein, human
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases