TLR4 signaling shapes B cell dynamics via MyD88-dependent pathways and Rac GTPases

J Immunol. 2013 Oct 1;191(7):3867-75. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301623. Epub 2013 Aug 30.

Abstract

B cells use a plethora of TLR to recognize pathogen-derived ligands. These innate signals have an important function in the B cell adaptive immune response and modify their trafficking and tissue location. The direct role of TLR signaling on B cell dynamics nonetheless remains almost entirely unknown. In this study, we used a state-of-the-art two-dimensional model combined with real-time microscopy to study the effect of TLR4 stimulation on mouse B cell motility in response to chemokines. We show that a minimum stimulation period is necessary for TLR4 modification of B cell behavior. TLR4 stimulation increased B cell polarization, migration, and directionality; these increases were dependent on the MyD88 signaling pathway and did not require ERK or p38 MAPK activity downstream of TLR4. In addition, TLR4 stimulation enhanced Rac GTPase activity and promoted sustained Rac activation in response to chemokines. These results increase our understanding of the regulation of B cell dynamics by innate signals and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Chemokine CXCL13 / metabolism
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology
  • Mice
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Chemokine CXCL13
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • rac GTP-Binding Proteins