The unfolded protein response of B-lymphocytes: PERK-independent development of antibody-secreting cells.

When B-lymphocytes differentiate into plasma cells, immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy and light chain synthesis escalates and the entire secretory apparatus expands to support high-rate antibody secretion. These same events occur when murine B-cells are stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), providing an in vitro model in which to investigate the differentiation process. The unfolded protein response (UPR), a multi-pathway signaling response emanating from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, allows cells to adapt to increasing demands on the protein folding capacity of the ER. As such, the UPR plays a pivotal role in the differentiation of antibody-secreting cells. Three specific stress sensors, IRE1, PERK/PEK and ATF6, are central to the recognition of ER stress and induction of the UPR. IRE1 triggers splicing of Xbp-1 mRNA, yielding a transcriptional activator of the UPR termed XBP-1(S), and activation of the IRE1/XBP-1 pathway has been reported to be required for expansion of the ER and antibody secretion. Here, we provide evidence that PERK is not activated in LPS-stimulated splenic B-cells, whereas XBP-1(S) and the UPR transcriptional activator ATF6 are both induced. We further demonstrate that Perk-/- B-cells develop and are fully competent for induction of Ig synthesis and antibody secretion when stimulated with LPS. These data provide clear evidence for differential activation and utilization of distinct UPR components as activated B-lymphocytes increase Ig synthesis and differentiate into specialized secretory cells.

Activation of an unfolded protein response during differentiation of antibody-secreting B cells.

The unfolded protein response pathway (UPR) is believed to detect and compensate for excessive protein accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The UPR can be induced by pharmacological agents that perturb ER functions, but may also occur during cellular developmental processes such as the transition of B-lymphocytes into antibody-secreting plasma cells. Here we show that major UPR components are activated in B cells stimulated to secrete antibody. Increased expression of UPR targets including the ER chaperones BiP and GRP94 and the transcription factor XBP-1 initiates early in the differentiation program prior to up-regulated synthesis of Ig chains. Furthermore, these same kinetics are observed during differentiation for cleavage of the ER-localized ATF6alpha protein and splicing of XBP-1 mRNA to generate p50ATF6alpha and p54XBP-1, the two known UPR transcriptional activators. All of these UPR events reach maximal levels once Ig synthesis and secretion are markedly induced. Interestingly, these events are not accompanied by expression of CHOP, a transcription factor induced by ER stress agents commonly used to investigate the UPR. These results suggest that a physiological UPR elicited during differentiation of B-lymphocytes into high-rate secretory cells may be distinct from the UPR defined by agents that disrupt protein maturation in the ER.

Stressed-out B cells? Plasma-cell differentiation and the unfolded protein response.

Plasma cells operate as factories where large quantities of Ig heavy and light chains are made and assembled into functional antibodies. The finished products are shipped out with impressive efficiency. A major component of the machinery necessary for high-rate antibody secretion is an elaborate network of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the site of antibody biosynthesis. Recent discoveries have provided insights into how this expansive secretory machinery is built, equipped and maintained. The unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway, a stress-induced signaling cascade emanating from the ER, regulates the expression and activity of X-box binding protein 1, a transcription factor required for plasma-cell development. The UPR pathway therefore senses conditions in the ER--the very compartment where antibodies are formed--and directs events required for humoral immunity.