Fra-2 regulates B cell development by enhancing IRF4 and Foxo1 transcription

K Ubieta, M Garcia, B Grötsch, S Uebe… - Journal of Experimental …, 2017 - rupress.org
K Ubieta, M Garcia, B Grötsch, S Uebe, GF Weber, M Stein, A Ekici, G Schett, D Mielenz
Journal of Experimental Medicine, 2017rupress.org
The role of AP-1 transcription factors in early B cell development and function is still
incompletely characterized. Here we address the role of Fra-2 in B cell differentiation.
Deletion of Fra-2 leads to impaired B cell proliferation in the bone marrow. In addition, IL-7–
stimulated pro–B cell cultures revealed a reduced differentiation from large pre–B cells to
small B cells and immature B cells. Gene profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation
sequencing analyses unraveled a transcriptional reduction of the transcription factors Foxo1 …
The role of AP-1 transcription factors in early B cell development and function is still incompletely characterized. Here we address the role of Fra-2 in B cell differentiation. Deletion of Fra-2 leads to impaired B cell proliferation in the bone marrow. In addition, IL-7–stimulated pro–B cell cultures revealed a reduced differentiation from large pre–B cells to small B cells and immature B cells. Gene profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analyses unraveled a transcriptional reduction of the transcription factors Foxo1, Irf4, Ikaros, and Aiolos in Fra-2–deficient B cells. Moreover, expression of IL7Rα and Rag 1/2, downstream targets of Irf4 and Foxo1, were also reduced in the absence of Fra-2. Pro–B cell proliferation and small pre–B cell differentiation were fully rescued by expression of Foxo1 and Irf4 in Fra-2–deficient pro–B cells. Hence, Fra-2 is a key upstream regulator of Foxo1 and Irf4 expression and influences proliferation and differentiation of B cells at multiple stages.
rupress.org