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Research
2011.05.02

The Calcium Sensors STIM1 and STIM2 Control B Cell Regulatory Function through Interleukin-10 Production. (Yoshihiro Baba & Tomohiro Kurosaki in Immunity)

A chief Ca2+ entry pathway in immune cells is store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) influx, which is triggered by depletion of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, its physiological role in B cells remains elusive.

The authors show that ER calcium sensors STIM1- and STIM2-induced SOC influx is critical for B cell regulatory function. B cell-specific deletion of STIM1 and STIM2 in mice caused a profound defect in B cell receptor (BCR)-induced SOC influx and proliferation. However, B cell development and antibody responses were unaffected. Remarkably, B cells lacking both STIM proteins failed to produce the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 because of defective activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) after BCR stimulation. This resulted in exacerbation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. These data establish STIM-dependent SOC influx as a key signal for B cell regulatory function required to limit autoimmunity.


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Contact:

Yoshihiro Baba
Laboratory for Lymphocyte Differentiation
Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University
TEL:+81-6-6879-4457 FAX:+81-6-6879-4460
babay@ifrec.osaka-u.ac.jp