Protein kinase C (PKC), which comprises 11 closely related isoforms, has been implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes, such as growth, differentiation, secretion, apoptosis and tumour development. Among the PKC isotypes, PKC-delta is unique in that its overexpression results in inhibition of cell growth. Here we show that mice that lack PKC-delta exhibit expansion of the B-lymphocyte population with the formation of numerous germinal centres in the absence of stimulation. The rate of proliferation in response to stimulation was greater for B cells from PKC-delta-deficient mice than for those from wild-type mice. Adoptive transfer experiments suggested that the hyperproliferation phenotype is B-cell autonomous. Production of interleukin-6 was markedly increased in B cells of PKC-delta-null mice as a result of an increase in the DNA-binding activity of NF-IL6. Furthermore, the PKC-delta-deficient mice contain circulating autoreactive antibodies and display immune-complex-type glomerulonephritis, as well as lymphocyte infiltration in many organs. These results suggest that PKC-delta has an indispensable function in negative regulation of B-cell proliferation, and is particularly important for the establishment of B-cell tolerance.
Janus kinases (Jaks) play an important role in signal transduction via cytokine receptors. Tyk2 is a Janus kinase, and we developed tyk2-deficient mice to study the requirement for tyk2 in vivo. Tyk2-deficient mice show no overt developmental abnormalities; however, they display a lack of responsiveness to a small amount of IFNalpha, although a high concentration of IFNalpha can fully transduce its signal even in the absence of tyk2. Furthermore, IL-12-induced T cell function is defective in these mice. In contrast, these mice respond normally to IL-6 and IL-10, both of which activate tyk2 in vitro. These observations demonstrate that tyk2 plays only a restricted role in mediating IFNalpha-dependent signaling while being required in mediating IL-12-dependent biological responses.
CD226 (DNAM-1) is an adhesion molecule involved in NK and T cell-mediated cytotoxicity against certain tumors. Here, we have identified the human poliovirus receptor-related (PRR) family members CD155 [poliovirus receptor (PVR)] and CD112 (nectin-2/PRR-2) as the ligands for human CD226. Ectopic expression of human CD155 and/or CD112 rendered mouse BW5147 T cells more susceptible to IL-2-activated T and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and killing was specifically inhibited by anti-CD226 mAb, demonstrating functional interactions of CD226 with CD155 and CD112. Although the binding affinities between soluble CD226 and CD155 or CD112 were comparable, the homophilic interaction of cell-surface CD112 may adversely affect CD226 binding to CD112. We also demonstrate that ligation of CD226 and LFA-1 with their respective ligands cooperates in triggering cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion by T and NK cells.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.