Deletion of calcineurin and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) binding domain of Cabin1 results in enhanced cytokine gene expression in T cells

Cabin1 binds calcineurin and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) through its COOH-terminal region. In cell lines, these interactions were shown to inhibit calcineurin activity after T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and transcriptional activation of Nur77 by MEF2. The role of these interactions under physiological conditions was investigated using a mutant mouse strain that expresses a truncated Cabin1 lacking the COOH-terminal calcineurin and MEF2 binding domains. T and B cell development and thymocyte apoptosis were normal in mutant mice. In response to anti-CD3 stimulation, however, mutant T cells expressed significantly higher levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-9, IL-13, and interferon gamma than wild-type T cells. The enhanced cytokine gene expression was not associated with change in nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT)c or NF-ATp nuclear translocation but was preceded by the induction of a phosphorylated form of MEF2D in mutant T cells. Consistent with the enhanced cytokine expression, mutant mice had elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G1, IgG2b, and IgE and produced more IgG1 in response to a T cell-dependent antigen. These findings suggest that the calcineurin and MEF2 binding domain of Cabin1 is dispensable for thymocyte development and apoptosis, but is required for proper regulation of T cell cytokine expression probably through modulation of MEF2 activity.

Enhanced B-1 cell development, but impaired IgG antibody responses in mice deficient in secreted IgM

The role of endogenous natural IgM in promoting the adaptive Ab response was investigated in newly constructed mutant mice in which B cells do not secrete IgM but still express surface IgM and IgD and undergo class switching to express other Ig isotypes. While the mutant mice had relatively normal numbers of conventional B (B-2) cells in all tissues examined, unexpectedly, B-1 cells in the peritoneum and spleen were approximately threefold more abundant. The elevated levels of B-1 cells were already detectable at 4 wk of age and were stably maintained throughout life. The levels of serum IgG2a, IgG3, and IgA were also elevated in the mutant mice at an early age. IgG2a response to a T cell-independent Ag was augmented, whereas IgG Ab responses to suboptimal doses of a T cell-dependent Ag were impaired. The latter defect was associated with fewer splenic germinal centers, impaired Ab affinity maturation, and less Ag trapping on follicular dendritic cells. Together, these findings demonstrate a physiologic role of natural IgM in the feedback regulation of B-1 cell development, the regulation of IgG2a production, and the promotion of efficient B-2 cell Ab responses.