Critical role for Stat3 in T-dependent terminal differentiation of IgG B cells

Blood. 2006 Feb 1;107(3):1085-91. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-07-2871. Epub 2005 Oct 13.

Abstract

Stat proteins are latent cytoplasmic transcription factors that are crucial in many aspects of mammalian development. In the immune system, Stat3 has distinct roles in T-cell, neutrophil, and macrophage function, but a role for Stat3 in B-cell development, particularly in the terminal differentiation of B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells, has never been directly tested. In this study, we used the Cre/lox system to generate a mouse strain in which Stat3 was conditionally deleted in the B-cell lineage (Stat3(fl/fl)CD19(Cre/+)). B-cell development, establishment of the peripheral B-cell compartment, and baseline serum antibody levels were unperturbed in Stat3(fl/fl)CD19(Cre/+) mice. Strikingly, Stat3(fl/fl)CD19(Cre/+) mice displayed profound defects in T-dependent (TD) IgG responses, but normal TD IgM, IgE, and IgA responses and T-independent (TI) IgM and IgG3 responses. In addition, germinal center (GC) formation, isotype switching, and generation of memory B cells, including IgG+ memory cells, were all intact in Stat3(fl/fl)CD19(Cre/+) mice, indicating that the requirement for Stat3 was limited to plasma cell differentiation. These results demonstrate a profound yet highly selective role for Stat3 in TD IgG plasma cell differentiation, and therefore represent a unique example of a transcription factor regulating isotype-specific terminal B-cell differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / immunology*
  • Integrases / genetics
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Plasma Cells / immunology*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / deficiency
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Viral Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Stat3 protein, mouse
  • Viral Proteins
  • Cre recombinase
  • Integrases