BANK negatively regulates Akt activation and subsequent B cell responses

Immunity. 2006 Mar;24(3):259-68. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2006.01.002.

Abstract

BANK is an adaptor protein that is highly expressed in B cells. To investigate its physiological role, we generated BANK-deficient mice. BANK-deficient mice displayed enhanced germinal center formation and IgM production in response to T-dependent antigens, whereas this phenotype was blocked in CD40-BANK double knockout mice. Involvement of BANK in CD40 signaling was further demonstrated by in vitro analysis. CD40-mediated proliferation and survival were significantly increased in BANK-deficient B cells, with enhanced Akt activation, whereas introduction of dominant-negative Akt into BANK-deficient B cells suppressed the augmented CD40-mediated responses. Together, our findings suggest that BANK attenuates CD40-mediated Akt activation, thereby preventing hyperactive B cell responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / physiology*
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD40 Antigens / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Mice
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / physiology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • CD40 Antigens
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt