Clustering of pre-B cell integrins induces galectin-1-dependent pre-B cell receptor relocalization and activation

J Immunol. 2006 Jul 15;177(2):796-803. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.2.796.

Abstract

Interactions between B cell progenitors and bone marrow stromal cells are essential for normal B cell differentiation. We have previously shown that an immune developmental synapse is formed between human pre-B and stromal cells in vitro, leading to the initiation of signal transduction from the pre-BCR. This process relies on the direct interaction between the pre-BCR and the stromal cell-derived galectin-1 (GAL1) and is dependent on GAL1 anchoring to cell surface glycosylated counterreceptors, present on stromal and pre-B cells. In this study, we identify alpha(4)beta(1) (VLA-4), alpha(5)beta(1) (VLA-5), and alpha(4)beta(7) integrins as major GAL1-glycosylated counterreceptors involved in synapse formation. Pre-B cell integrins and their stromal cell ligands (ADAM15/fibronectin), together with the pre-BCR and GAL1, form a homogeneous lattice at the contact area between pre-B and stromal cells. Moreover, integrin and pre-BCR relocalizations into the synapse are synchronized and require actin polymerization. Finally, cross-linking of pre-B cell integrins in the presence of GAL1 is sufficient for driving pre-BCR recruitment into the synapse, leading to the initiation of pre-BCR signaling. These results suggest that during pre-B/stromal cell synapse formation, relocalization of pre-B cell integrins mediated by their stromal cell ligands drives pre-BCR clustering and activation, in a GAL1-dependent manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cell Aggregation* / immunology
  • Cell Communication / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / metabolism
  • Galectin 1 / physiology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Integrins / metabolism*
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Pre-B Cell Receptors
  • Receptor Aggregation* / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Galectin 1
  • Integrins
  • Ligands
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Pre-B Cell Receptors
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell