A Retrospective Analysis of Leadership, Awardees, and Member Gender Representation of the Canadian Society for Immunology.

The Canadian Society for Immunology (CSI) established a formal Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee with the goal of providing EDI advocacy and leadership within the CSI, as well as in the broader scientific community. A first task of this committee was to review the publicly available historical data on gender representation within the CSI's membership, leadership, award recipients, and conference chairs/presenters as a step in establishing a baseline reference point and monitoring the trajectory of future success in achieving true inclusion. We found that, except for overall membership and a specific subset of awards, all categories showed a historical bias toward men, particularly prior to 2010. Bias persists in various categories, evident even in recent years. However, we note an encouraging trend toward greater gender parity, particularly in the roles of President, symposium presenters, and workshop chairs, especially from 2017 onward. We present these findings as well as our recommendations to enhance inclusivity. These include a more comprehensive collection and secure storage of self-identification data, emphasis on EDI as an essential component of all annual meeting activities, and innovative measures of outreach, collaboration, and leadership with the aim of making the CSI a model for improving EDI in other professional research societies.

Tafazzin deficiency in mouse mesenchymal stem cells promote reprogramming of activated B lymphocytes toward immunosuppressive phenotypes.

Barth Syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked genetic disorder caused by mutation in the TAFAZZIN gene. Tafazzin (Taz) deficiency in BTHS patients results in an increased risk of infections. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are well known for their immune-inhibitory function. We examined how Taz-deficiency in murine MSCs impact their ability to modulate the function of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated wild type (WT) B lymphocytes. MSCs from tafazzin knockdown (TazKD) mice exhibited a reduction in mitochondrial cardiolipin compared to wild type (WT) MSCs. However, mitochondrial bioenergetics and membrane potential were unaltered. In contrast, TazKD MSCs exhibited increased reactive oxygen species generation and increased glycolysis. The increased glycolysis was associated with an elevated proliferation, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase expression and expression of the immunosuppressive markers indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, interleukin-10, and cluster of differentiation 59 compared to controls. Inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxyglucose attenuated the TazKD-mediated increased expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 and interleukin-10. When co-cultured with LPS-activated WT B cells, TazKD MSCs inhibited B cell proliferation and growth rate and reduced B cell secretion of immunoglobulin M compared to controls. In addition, co-culture of LPS-activated WT B cells with TazKD MSCs promoted B cell differentiation toward interleukin-10 secreting plasma cells and B regulatory cells compared to controls. The results indicate that Taz deficiency in MSCs promote reprogramming of activated B lymphocytes toward immunosuppressive phenotypes.

Critical Roles of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase δ in the Humoral Immune Response to Trypanosoma congolense Infection.

PI3Kδ is critical in generating humoral and regulatory immune responses. In this study, we determined the impact of PI3Kδ in immunity to Trypanosoma congolense, an African trypanosome that can manipulate and evade Ab responses critical for protection. Upon infection with T. congolense, PI3KδD910A mice lacking PI3Kδ activity paradoxically show a transient enhancement in early control of parasitemia, associated with impaired production of regulatory IL-10 by B cells in the peritoneum. C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice treated with the PI3Kδ inhibitor (PI3Kδi) Idelalisib showed a similar transient decrease in parasitemia associated with reduced IL-10. Strikingly, however, we find that PI3KδD910A mice were ultimately unable to control this infection, resulting in uncontrolled parasitemia and death within 2 wk. Assessment of humoral responses revealed delayed B cell activation, impaired germinal center responses, and compromised Ab responses to differing degrees in PI3KδD910A and PI3Kδi-treated mice. To test the role of Abs, we administered serum from WT mice to PI3KδD910A mice and found that lethality was prevented by postinfection serum. Interestingly, serum from naive WT mice provided partial protection to PI3KδD910A mutants, indicating an additional role for natural Abs. Together our findings suggest that although PI3Kδ drives immune regulatory responses that antagonize early control of parasite growth in the peritoneum, it is also required for generation of Abs that are critical for protection from systemic trypanosome infection. The essential role of PI3Kδ for host survival of African trypanosome infection contrasts with findings for other pathogens such as Leishmania, underlining the critical importance of PI3Kδ-dependent humoral immunity in this disease.

The Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Is a Key Metabolic Enzyme and Critical Virulence Factor of Leishmania major.

There is currently no effective vaccine against leishmaniasis because of the lack of sufficient knowledge about the Ags that stimulate host-protective and long-lasting T cell-mediated immunity. We previously identified Leishmania phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK, a gluconeogenic enzyme) as an immunodominant Ag that is expressed by both the insect (promastigote) and mammalian (amastigote) stages of the parasite. In this study, we investigated the role of PEPCK in metabolism, virulence, and immunopathogenicity of Leishmania major We show that targeted loss of PEPCK results in impaired proliferation of L. major in axenic culture and bone marrow-derived macrophages. Furthermore, the deficiency of PEPCK results in highly attenuated pathology in vivo. BALB/c mice infected with PEPCK-deficient parasites failed to develop any cutaneous lesions despite harboring parasites at the cutaneous site of infection. This was associated with a dramatic reduction in the frequency of cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10)-producing CD4+ T cells in spleens and lymph nodes draining the infection site. Cells from mice infected with PEPCK-deficient parasites also produced significantly low levels of these cytokines into the culture supernatant following in vitro restimulation with soluble Leishmania Ag. PEPCK-deficient parasites exhibited significantly greater extracellular acidification rate, increased proton leak, and decreased ATP-coupling efficiency and oxygen consumption rates in comparison with their wild-type and addback counterparts. Taken together, these results show that PEPCK is a critical metabolic enzyme for Leishmania, and its deletion results in altered metabolic activity and attenuation of virulence.

Tafazzin deficiency attenuates anti-cluster of differentiation 40 and interleukin-4 activation of mouse B lymphocytes.

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked genetic disease caused by mutations in TAFAZZIN. The tafazzin (Taz) protein is a cardiolipin remodeling enzyme required for maintaining mitochondrial function. Patients with BTHS exhibit impaired mitochondrial respiratory chain and metabolic function and are susceptible to serious infections. B lymphocytes (B cells) play a vital role in humoral immunity required to eradicate circulating antigens from pathogens. Intact mitochondrial respiration is required for proper B-cell function. We investigated whether Taz deficiency in mouse B cells altered their response to activation by anti-cluster of differentiation 40 (anti-CD40) + interleukin-4 (IL-4). B cells were isolated from 3-4-month-old wild type (WT) or tafazzin knockdown (TazKD) mice and were stimulated with anti-CD40 + IL-4 for 24 h and cellular bioenergetics, surface marker expression, proliferation, antibody production, and proteasome and immunoproteasome activities determined. TazKD B cells exhibited reduced mRNA expression of Taz, lowered levels of cardiolipin, and impairment in both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis compared to WT B cells. In addition, anti-CD40 + IL-4 stimulated TazKD B cells expressed lower levels of the immunogenic surface markers, cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86) and cluster of differentiation 69 (CD69), exhibited a lower proliferation rate, reduced production of immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G, and reduced proteasome and immunoproteasome proteolytic activities compared to WT B cells stimulated with anti-CD40 + IL-4. The results indicate that Taz is required to support T-cell-dependent signaling activation of mouse B cells.

Tafazzin deficiency impairs mitochondrial metabolism and function of lipopolysaccharide activated B lymphocytes in mice.

B lymphocytes are responsible for humoral immunity and play a key role in the immune response. Optimal mitochondrial function is required to support B cell activity during activation. We examined how deficiency of tafazzin, a cardiolipin remodeling enzyme required for mitochondrial function, alters the metabolic activity of B cells and their response to activation by lipopolysaccharide in mice. B cells were isolated from 3-month-old wild type or tafazzin knockdown mice and incubated for up to 72 h with lipopolysaccharide and cell proliferation, expression of cell surface markers, secretion of antibodies and chemokines, proteasome and immunoproteasome activities, and metabolic function determined. In addition, proteomic analysis was performed to identify altered levels of proteins involved in survival, immunogenic, proteasomal and mitochondrial processes. Compared to wild type lipopolysaccharide activated B cells, lipopolysaccharide activated tafazzin knockdown B cells exhibited significantly reduced proliferation, lowered expression of cluster of differentiation 86 and cluster of differentiation 69 surface markers, reduced secretion of immunoglobulin M antibody, reduced secretion of keratinocytes-derived chemokine and macrophage-inflammatory protein-2, reduced proteasome and immunoproteasome activities, and reduced mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis. Proteomic analysis revealed significant alterations in key protein targets that regulate cell survival, immunogenicity, proteasomal processing and mitochondrial function consistent with the findings of the above functional studies. The results indicate that the cardiolipin transacylase enzyme tafazzin plays a key role in regulating mouse B cell function and metabolic activity during activation through modulation of mitochondrial function.

A Case for Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-Targeted Therapy for Infectious Disease.

PI3Ks activate critical signaling cascades and have multifaceted regulatory functions in the immune system. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutations in the PI3Kδ isoform have revealed that this enzyme can substantially impact immune responses to infectious agents and their products. Moreover, reports garnered from decades of infectious disease studies indicate that pharmacologic inhibition of the PI3K pathway could potentially be effective in limiting the growth of certain microbes via modulation of the immune system. In this review, we briefly highlight the development and applications of PI3K inhibitors and summarize data supporting the concept that PI3Kδ inhibitors initially developed for oncology have immune regulatory potential that could be exploited to improve the control of some infectious diseases. This repurposing of existing kinase inhibitors could lay the foundation for alternative infectious disease therapy using available therapeutic agents.

Suppressive Role of Bam32/DAPP1 in Chemokine-Induced Neutrophil Recruitment.

Bam32 (B cell adaptor molecule of 32 kDa) functions in the immune responses of various leukocytes. However, the role of neutrophil Bam32 in inflammation is entirely unknown. Here, we determined the role of Bam32 in chemokine CXCL2-induced neutrophil chemotaxis in three mouse models of neutrophil recruitment. By using intravital microscopy in the mouse cremaster muscle, we found that transmigrated neutrophil number, neutrophil chemotaxis velocity, and total neutrophil chemotaxis distance were increased in Bam32-/- mice when compared with wild-type (WT) mice. In CXCL2-induced mouse peritonitis, the total emigrated neutrophils were increased in Bam32-/- mice at 2 but not 4 h. The CXCL2-induced chemotaxis distance and migration velocity of isolated Bam32-/- neutrophils in vitro were increased. We examined the activation of small GTPases Rac1, Rac2, and Rap1; the levels of phospho-Akt2 and total Akt2; and their crosstalk with Bam32 in neutrophils. The deficiency of Bam32 suppressed Rap1 activation without changing the activation of Rac1 and Rac2. The pharmacological inhibition of Rap1 by geranylgeranyltransferase I inhibitor (GGTI298) increased WT neutrophil chemotaxis. In addition, the deficiency of Bam32, as well as the inhibition of Rap1 activation, increased the levels of CXCL2-induced Akt1/2 phosphorylation at Thr308/309 in neutrophils. The inhibition of Akt by SH-5 attenuated CXCL2-induced adhesion and emigration in Bam32-/- mice. Together, our results reveal that Bam32 has a suppressive role in chemokine-induced neutrophil chemotaxis by regulating Rap1 activation and that this role of Bam32 in chemokine-induced neutrophil recruitment relies on the activation of PI3K effector Akt.

SHIP interacts with adaptor protein Nck and restricts actin turnover in B cells.

SH2 domain-containing inositol 5'-phosphatase (SHIP) has critical functions in regulating signal transduction. In additional to its lipid phosphatase activity, SHIP engages in multiple protein-protein interactions, which can serve to localize either SHIP or its binding partners to a particular subcellular domain. Knock-out and knock-down studies have elucidated that SHIP negatively regulates the accumulation of F-actin in leukocytes, usually resulting in inhibition of actin dependent cellular activities such as spreading and migration. Here, we demonstrate that overexpression of SHIP inhibits B cell antigen receptor (BCR)-mediated cell spreading in murine and human B cell lines. B cell stimulation via the BCR or pervanadate induces an interaction between SHIP and Nck, an adaptor protein known to promote actin polymerization. Using a fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assay, we demonstrate that overexpression of SHIP slows F-actin dynamics in BCR-stimulated B cells and this can be overcome by co-overexpression of Nck. Our data supports a role for SHIP in limiting actin turnover and suggests it may do so in part by sequestering Nck.

TAPP Adaptors Control B Cell Metabolism by Modulating the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Signaling Pathway: A Novel Regulatory Circuit Preventing Autoimmunity.

Class I PI3K enzymes play critical roles in B cell activation by phosphorylating plasma membrane lipids to generate two distinct phosphoinositide (PI) products, PI(3,4,5)P3 and PI(3,4)P2. These PIs each bind distinct but overlapping sets of intracellular proteins that control cell survival, cytoskeletal reorganization, and metabolic activity. The tandem PH domain containing proteins (TAPPs) bind with high specificity to PI(3,4)P2, and their genetic uncoupling from PI(3,4)P2 in TAPP knock in (KI) mice was previously found to cause chronic B cell activation, abnormal germinal centers (GCs), and autoimmunity. In this article, we find that TAPPs provide feedback regulation affecting PI3K signaling and metabolic activation of B cells. Upon activation, TAPP KI B cells show enhanced metabolic activity associated with increased extracellular acidification rate, increased expression of glucose transporter GLUT1, and increased glucose uptake. TAPP KI B cells show markedly increased activation of the PI3K-regulated kinases Akt, GSK3ß, and p70-S6K. Conversely, overexpression of the C-terminal TAPP PH domains in B cells can inhibit Akt phosphorylation by a mechanism requiring the TAPP PI(3,4)P2-binding pocket. Inhibition of the PI3K pathway in TAPP KI B cells reduced GLUT1 expression and glucose uptake, whereas inhibition of Akt alone was not sufficient to normalize these responses. TAPP KI GC B cells also show increased GLUT1 and glucose uptake, and treatment with the inhibitor of glycolysis 2-deoxy-D-glucose reduced chronic GC responses and autoantibody production within these mice. Our findings show that TAPP-PI(3,4)P2 interaction controls activation of glycolysis and highlights the significance of this pathway for B cell activation, GC responses, and autoimmunity.

Expression and function of phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta in mesenchymal stromal cells from normal and leukaemic bone marrow.

Within lymphoid tissues, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells interact with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). Inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) cause release of CLL cells from lymphoid tissues into blood. PI3Kδ inhibitors are thought to target only CLL and other immune cells because PI3Kδ expression is restricted to haematopoietic cells. We found that PI3Kδ is unexpectedly expressed in primary MSC derived from CLL patients and healthy donors. PI3Kδ inhibition in MSC using idelalisib or duvelisib significantly reduced their ability to support CLL migration and adhesion. These observations provide the first evidence that PI3Kδ is expressed and functional in CLL MSC.

Regulation of immune cell signaling by SHIP1: A phosphatase, scaffold protein, and potential therapeutic target.

The phosphoinositide phosphatase SHIP is a critical regulator of immune cell activation. Despite considerable study, the mechanisms controlling SHIP activity to ensure balanced cell activation remain incompletely understood. SHIP dampens BCR signaling in part through its association with the inhibitory coreceptor Fc gamma receptor IIB, and serves as an effector for other inhibitory receptors in various immune cell types. The established paradigm emphasizes SHIP's inhibitory receptor-dependent function in regulating phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling by dephosphorylating the phosphoinositide PI(3,4,5)P3 ; however, substantial evidence indicates that SHIP can be activated independently of inhibitory receptors and can function as an intrinsic brake on activation signaling. Here, we integrate historical and recent reports addressing the regulation and function of SHIP in immune cells, which together indicate that SHIP acts as a multifunctional protein controlled by multiple regulatory inputs, and influences downstream signaling via both phosphatase-dependent and -independent means. We further summarize accumulated evidence regarding the functions of SHIP in B cells, T cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, mast cells, and macrophages, and data suggesting defective expression or activity of SHIP in autoimmune and malignant disorders. Lastly, we discuss the biological activities, therapeutic promise, and limitations of small molecule modulators of SHIP enzymatic activity.

B-cell-intrinsic function of TAPP adaptors in controlling germinal center responses and autoantibody production in mice.

Control of B-cell signal transduction is critical to prevent production of pathological autoantibodies. Tandem PH domain containing proteins (TAPPs) specifically bind PI(3,4)P2, a phosphoinositide product generated by PI 3-kinases and the phosphatase SHIP. TAPP KI mice bearing PH domain-inactivating mutations in both TAPP1 and TAPP2 genes, uncoupling them from PI(3,4)P2, exhibit increased BCR-induced activation of the kinase Akt and develop lupus-like characteristics including anti-DNA antibodies and deposition of immune complexes in kidneys. Here, we find that TAPP KI mice develop chronic germinal centers (GCs) with age and show abnormal expression of B-cell activation and memory markers. Upon immunization with T-dependent Ag, TAPP KI mice develop functional but abnormally large GCs, associated with increased GC B-cell survival. Disruption of chronic GCs in TAPP KI mice by deletion of the costimulatory molecule ICOS abrogate anti-DNA and anti-nuclear antibody production in TAPP KI mice, indicating an essential role for GCs. Moreover, TAPP KI B cells are sufficient to drive chronic GC responses and recapitulate the autoimmune phenotype in BM chimeric mice. Our findings demonstrate a B-cell-intrinsic role of TAPP-PI(3,4)P2 interaction in regulating GC responses and autoantibody production and suggest that uncontrolled Akt activity in B cells can drive autoimmunity.

FcγRIIB-Independent Mechanisms Controlling Membrane Localization of the Inhibitory Phosphatase SHIP in Human B Cells.

SHIP is an important regulator of immune cell signaling that functions to dephosphorylate the phosphoinositide phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate at the plasma membrane and mediate protein-protein interactions. One established paradigm for SHIP activation involves its recruitment to the phospho-ITIM motif of the inhibitory receptor FcγRIIB. Although SHIP is essential for the inhibitory function of FcγRIIB, it also has critical modulating functions in signaling initiated from activating immunoreceptors such as B cell Ag receptor. In this study, we found that SHIP is indistinguishably recruited to the plasma membrane after BCR stimulation with or without FcγRIIB coligation in human cell lines and primary cells. Interestingly, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis reveals differential mobility of SHIP-enhanced GFP depending on the mode of stimulation, suggesting that although BCR and FcγRIIB can both recruit SHIP, this occurs via distinct molecular complexes. Mutagenesis of a SHIP-enhanced GFP fusion protein reveals that the SHIP-Src homology 2 domain is essential in both cases whereas the C terminus is required for recruitment via BCR stimulation, but is less important with FcγRIIB coligation. Experiments with pharmacological inhibitors reveal that Syk activity is required for optimal stimulation-induced membrane localization of SHIP, whereas neither PI3K or Src kinase activity is essential. BCR-induced association of SHIP with binding partner Shc1 is dependent on Syk, as is tyrosine phosphorylation of both partners. Our results indicate that FcγRIIB is not uniquely able to promote membrane recruitment of SHIP, but rather modulates its function via formation of distinct signaling complexes. Membrane recruitment of SHIP via Syk-dependent mechanisms may be an important factor modulating immunoreceptor signaling.

Phosphatidylinositol-3,4-Bisphosphate and Its Binding Protein Lamellipodin Regulate Chemotaxis of Malignant B Lymphocytes.

Cell migration is controlled by PI3Ks, which generate lipid messengers phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol-3,4-bisphosphate [PI(3,4)P2] and consequently recruit pleckstrin homology (PH) domain-containing signaling proteins. PI3K inhibition impairs migration of normal and transformed B cells, an effect thought to partly underlie the therapeutic efficacy of PI3K inhibitors in treatment of B cell malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Although a number of studies have implicated phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate in cell migration, it remains unknown whether PI(3,4)P2 plays a distinct role. Using the PI(3,4)P2-specific phosphatase inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase, we investigate the impact of depleting PI(3,4)P2 on migration behavior of malignant B cells. We find that cells expressing wild-type, but not phosphatase dead, inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase show impaired SDF-induced PI(3,4)P2 responses and reduced migration in Transwell chamber assays. Moreover, PI(3,4)P2 depletion in primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells significantly impaired their migration capacity. PI(3,4)P2 depletion reduced both overall motility and migration directionality in the presence of a stable chemokine gradient. Within chemotaxing B cells, the PI(3,4)P2-binding cytoskeletal regulator lamellipodin (Lpd) was found to colocalize with PI(3,4)P2 on the plasma membrane via its PH domain. Overexpression and knockdown studies indicated that Lpd levels significantly impact migration capacity. Moreover, the ability of Lpd to promote directional migration of B cells in an SDF-1 gradient was dependent on its PI(3,4)P2-binding PH domain. These results demonstrate that PI(3,4)P2 plays a significant role in cell migration via binding to specific cytoskeletal regulators such as Lpd, and they suggest that impairment of PI(3,4)P2-dependent processes may contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of PI3K inhibitors in B cell malignancies.

p110δ phosphoinositide 3-kinase represses IgE switch by potentiating BCL6 expression.

PI3Ks are key signaling enzymes required for triggering many immunological functions. In B lymphocytes, PI3K signaling is required for Ag-induced proliferation and robust production of most Ab isotypes. Paradoxically, PI3K was found to have a negatively regulatory function regarding Ab class switch recombination, and blockade of PI3K can strongly potentiate IgE switch. In this article, we explore the mechanisms of this unexpected negative regulatory function of PI3K regarding IgE. We demonstrate that p110δ PI3K selectively regulates IgE switch in a B cell-intrinsic manner by controlling germline transcription of the IgE promoter (εGLT). Although p110δ can regulate transcription of activation-induced cytidine deaminase via Akt, repression of εGLT and IgE switch is not dependent on Akt signaling. Inhibition of p110δ, but not Akt, leads to reduced expression of transcriptional repressor B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) and concomitant upregulation of εGLT and other BCL6-target genes. p110δ inhibitor treatment strikingly alters the balance between BCL6 and IRF4 (a transcription factor that antagonizes BCL6), leading to increased IRF4 and decreased BCL6 expression levels in germinal center B cells. Ectopic expression of BCL6 can partially overcome the elevated εGLTs and potentiated IgE switching in p110δ-inhibited B cells. To our knowledge, these results provide the first evidence that p110δ PI3K signaling regulates BCL6 expression and indicate that PI3K promotes the germinal center B cell program and selectively represses IgE switch by maintaining sufficient levels of BCL6.

Interaction of TAPP adapter proteins with phosphatidylinositol (3,4)-bisphosphate regulates B-cell activation and autoantibody production.

TAPP1 and TAPP2 (where TAPP is tandem PH domain containing protein) are dual PH domain adaptors that selectively bind PI(3,4)P2 (phosphatidylinositol (3,4)-bisphosphate). PI(3,4)P2 is a lipid messenger generated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and SHIP, both of which are critical regulators of B-cell activation. To determine the functional role of TAPP-PI(3,4)P2 interactions, we utilized a double knock-in (KI) mouse bearing mutations within the PI-binding pocket of both TAPP1 and TAPP2. TAPP KI mice show evidence of altered B-cell development, but generate phenotypically normal mature B-cell populations. Total serum immunoglobulin IgM and IgG levels were found to be markedly elevated in TAPP KI mice. B cells purified from TAPP KI mice were hyper-responsive to antigen receptor cross-linking, showing increased proliferation, CD86 expression, and Akt phosphorylation on Ser473 and Thr308. Female TAPP KI mice developed elevated levels of anti-DNA and antinuclear antibodies with age, associated with IgG deposition in kidneys and significant glomerulonephritis pathology. Together our results indicate that interaction of TAPPs with PI(3,4)P2 mediates feedback inhibition impacting on BCR signaling, with functional significance for control of autoreactive B cells.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-regulated adapters in lymphocyte activation.

Signaling via phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) has emerged as a central component of lymphocyte activation via immunoreceptors, costimulatory receptors, cytokine receptors, and chemokine receptors. The discovery of phosphoinositide-binding pleckstrin homology (PH) domains has substantially increased understanding of how PI3Ks activate cellular responses. Accumulating evidence indicates that PH-domain containing adapter molecules provide important links between PI3K and lymphocyte function. Here, we review data on PI3K-regulated adapter proteins of the Grb-associated binder (GAB), Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein (SKAP), and B-lymphocyte adapter molecule of 32 kDa (Bam32)/ dual-adapter for phosphotyrosine and 3-phosphoinositides (DAPP)/TAPP families, with a focus on the latter group. Current data support the model that recruitment of these adapters to the plasma membrane of activated lymphocytes is driven by the phosphoinositides phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-tris-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol-3,4-bisphosphate, generated through the action of PI3Ks and under the regulatory control of lipid phosphatases Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol phosphatase (SHIP), phosphatase and tensin homolog, and inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase. At the plasma membrane, these adapters serve to assemble distinct protein complexes. Bam32/DAPP1 and SKAPs function to promote activation of monomeric guanosine triphosphatases, including Rac and Rap, and promote integrin activation, lymphocyte adhesion to matrix proteins, and cell:cell interactions between B and T lymphocytes. GABs can provide feedforward amplification or feedback inhibition of PI3K signaling. Current work is further defining the molecular interactions driven by these molecules and identifying the functions of TAPP adapters, which also appear to be involved in lymphocyte adhesion and are specific effectors downstream of the SHIP product phosphatidylinositol-3,4-bisphosphate.