Caspase (Casp) family proteases regulate not only lymphocyte apoptosis but also lymphocyte activation and development. In this study, we show that Casp6 regulates B cell activation and differentiation into plasma cells by modifying cell cycle entry. B cells from Casp6 knockout (Casp6 KO) mice examined ex vivo have more cells in G1 than wild-type B cells, and mitogen-induced G1 entry of Casp6 KO B cells is much faster than that of wild-type B cells. Even so, S phase entry and proliferation are not increased in Casp6 KO B cells. Rather than proliferating, activated Casp6 KO B cells preferentially differentiate into syndecan-1+ plasma cells and produce Abs. In Casp6 KO mice compared with WT mice, serum levels of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b are increased and Ag-specific Ab responses are also enhanced along with increased percentages of syndecan-1+ plasma cells. Casp6 may regulate both B cell activation and differentiation by modifying requirements for G0 B cells to enter G1.
CITATION STYLE
Watanabe, C., Shu, G. L., Zheng, T. S., Flavell, R. A., & Clark, E. A. (2008). Caspase 6 Regulates B Cell Activation and Differentiation into Plasma Cells. The Journal of Immunology, 181(10), 6810–6819. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.181.10.6810
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