The Rac Activator DOCK2 Mediates Plasma Cell Differentiation and IgG Antibody Production.

ABSTRACT: A hallmark of humoral immune responses is the production of antibodies. This process involves a complex cascade of molecular and cellular interactions, including recognition of specific antigen by the B cell receptor (BCR), which triggers activation of B cells and differentiation into plasma cells (PCs). Although activation of the small GTPase Rac has been implicated in BCR-mediated antigen recognition, its precise role in humoral immunity and the upstream regulator remain elusive. DOCK2 is a Rac-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells. We found that BCR-mediated Rac activation was almost completely lost in DOCK2-deficient B cells, resulting in defects in B cell spreading over the target cell-membrane and sustained growth of BCR microclust

SUBMITTER: Ushijima M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5820292 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature