EBV LMP2A provides a surrogate pre-B cell receptor signal through constitutive activation of the ERK/MAPK pathway.
Latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) provides developmental and survival signals that mimic those of a B-cell receptor (BCR). Expression of LMP2A during B-cell development results in the ability of B cells to exit the bone marrow in the absence of a BCR and persist in the periphery, where they would normally undergo apoptosis. This study extends the current knowledge of LMP2A function by examining the growth properties of bone marrow B cells from TgE LMP2A mice. Despite the lack of pre-BCR expression, bone marrow B cells from TgE LMP2A mice proliferate and survive in low concentrations of interleukin 7, similar to wild-type cells. Constitutive phosphorylation of ERK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt in TgE LMP2A bone marrow B cells is also reminiscent of signalling through the pre-BCR, altogether demonstrating that LMP2A provides a pre-BCR-like signal to developing B cells.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Leah J
LJ
Anderson
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Richard
R
Longnecker
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D054420:Pre-B Cell Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D015851:Interleukin-7; D054420:Pre-B Cell Receptors; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases