title: Induction of the IL-7 receptor alpha chain in mouse peripheral B cells by glucocorticoids.
abstract: Expression of the IL-7R alpha chain (IL-7R alpha) is strictly regulated during development and maturation of lymphocytes. While T cells express the IL-7R alpha in the periphery, B cells do not. Glucocorticoids (GCs) have pleiotypic effects on development and function of lymphocytes. Although GCs induce the transcription of IL-7R alpha gene in T cells, their effect on B cells is largely unknown. Here, we show that GCs induce the transcription and expression of IL-7R alpha in mouse peripheral B cells. This effect does not require de novo protein synthesis, because a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, does not block the transcription. IL-7R signal pathway is intact in peripheral B cells because Stat5, one of the signal molecules of the IL-7R alpha, is phosphorylated by IL-7 stimulation. We also observed that IL-7 simulation induces the transcription of Cis-1, one of the target genes of Stat5. Furthermore, GC-induced IL-7R alpha can transmit survival signal in B cells. Therefore, this study demonstrates that GCs induce the transcription and expression of functional IL-7R alpha in peripheral B cells, and implies a potential role of the IL-7R in survival of B cells.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biological Protection, Department of Biological Responses, Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Shizue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tani-ichi
authors.forename: Hai-Chon
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kazushige
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maki
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikuta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D050799:STAT5 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D053699:Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit; D050799:STAT5 Transcription Factor