C-Met and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor regulate mature B cell survival in a pathway induced by CD74.

ABSTRACT: The signals regulating the survival of mature splenic B cells have become a major focus in recent studies of B cell immunology. Durable B cell persistence in the periphery is dependent on survival signals that are transduced by cell surface receptors. In this study, we describe a novel biological mechanism involved in mature B cell homeostasis, the hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF)/c-Met pathway. We demonstrate that c-Met activation by HGF leads to a survival cascade, whereas its blockade results in induction of mature B cell death. Our results emphasize a unique and critical function for c-Met signaling in the previously described macrophage migration inhibitory factor/CD74-induced survival pathway. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor recruits c-Met to the CD74/CD44 complex

SUBMITTER: Gordin M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3646513 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature