CpG inhibits pro-B cell expansion through a cathepsin B-dependent mechanism

Ana Inés Lalanne, Ignacio Moraga, Yi Hao, João Pedro Pereira, Nuno L. Alves, Nicholas D. Huntington, Antonio A. Freitas, Ana Cumano, Paulo Vieira

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

TLR9 is expressed in cells of the innate immune system, as well as in B lymphocytes and their progenitors. We investigated the effect of the TLR9 ligand CpG DNA on the proliferation of pro-B cells. CpG DNA inhibits the proliferation of pro-B, but not pre-B, cells by inducing caspase-independent cell death through a pathway that requires the expression of cathepsin B. This pathway is operative in Rag-deficient mice carrying an SP6 transgene, in which B lymphopoiesis is compromised, to reduce the size of the B lymphocyte precursor compartments in the bone marrow. Thus, TLR9 signals can regulate B lymphopoiesis in vivo.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5678-5685
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume184
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2010
Externally publishedYes

Cite this