TY - JOUR
T1 - EBI2 overexpression in mice leads to B1 B cell expansion and chronic lymphocytic leukemia-(CLL)-like B cell malignancies
AU - Niss Arfelt, Kristine
AU - Barington, Line
AU - Benned-Jensen, Tau
AU - Kubale, Valentina
AU - Kovalchuk, Alexander L
AU - Daugvilaite, Viktorija
AU - Pravsgaard Christensen, Jan
AU - Randrup Thomsen, Allan
AU - Egerod, Kristoffer L
AU - Bassi, Maria R
AU - Spiess, Katja
AU - Schwartz, Thue W
AU - Wang, Hongsheng
AU - Morse, Herbert C
AU - Holst, Peter J
AU - Rosenkilde, Mette M
N1 - Copyright © 2016 American Society of Hematology.
PY - 2017/2/16
Y1 - 2017/2/16
N2 - Human and mouse chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) develops from CD5+ B cells that in mice and macaques are known to define the distinct B1a B-cell lineage. B1a cells are characterized by lack of germinal center (GC) development, and the B1a cell population is increased in mice with reduced GC formation. As a major mediator of follicular B-cell migration, the G protein-coupled receptor Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2 or GPR183) directs B-cell migration in the lymphoid follicles in response to its endogenous ligands, oxysterols. Thus, upregulation of EBI2 drives the B cells toward the extrafollicular area, whereas downregulation is essential for GC formation. We therefore speculated whether increased expression of EBI2 would lead to an expanded B1 cell subset and, ultimately, progression to CLL. Here, we demonstrate that B-cell-targeted expression of human EBI2 (hEBI2) in mice reduces GC-dependent immune responses, reduces total immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG levels, and leads to increased proliferation and upregulation of cellular oncogenes. Furthermore, hEBI2 overexpression leads to an abnormally expanded CD5+ B1a B-cell subset (present as early as 4 days after birth), late-onset lymphoid cancer development, and premature death. These findings are highly similar to those observed in CLL patients and identify EBI2 as a promoter of B-cell malignancies.
AB - Human and mouse chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) develops from CD5+ B cells that in mice and macaques are known to define the distinct B1a B-cell lineage. B1a cells are characterized by lack of germinal center (GC) development, and the B1a cell population is increased in mice with reduced GC formation. As a major mediator of follicular B-cell migration, the G protein-coupled receptor Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2 or GPR183) directs B-cell migration in the lymphoid follicles in response to its endogenous ligands, oxysterols. Thus, upregulation of EBI2 drives the B cells toward the extrafollicular area, whereas downregulation is essential for GC formation. We therefore speculated whether increased expression of EBI2 would lead to an expanded B1 cell subset and, ultimately, progression to CLL. Here, we demonstrate that B-cell-targeted expression of human EBI2 (hEBI2) in mice reduces GC-dependent immune responses, reduces total immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG levels, and leads to increased proliferation and upregulation of cellular oncogenes. Furthermore, hEBI2 overexpression leads to an abnormally expanded CD5+ B1a B-cell subset (present as early as 4 days after birth), late-onset lymphoid cancer development, and premature death. These findings are highly similar to those observed in CLL patients and identify EBI2 as a promoter of B-cell malignancies.
U2 - 10.1182/blood-2016-02-697185
DO - 10.1182/blood-2016-02-697185
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 28003273
SN - 0006-4971
VL - 129
SP - 866
EP - 878
JO - Blood
JF - Blood
IS - 7
ER -
