Abstract
E2A encoded proteins, key transcriptional regulators in B lineage specification and commitment, have been shown to decrease in B cell precursors in old age. E2A regulates genes encoding the surrogate light chain proteins λ5 and VpreB. In old age, B cell precursors express less surrogate light chain and this results in compromised pre-B cell receptor function and diminished expansion of new pre-B cells in senescence. Herein, we show that aged bone marrow has increased Hardy Fraction A (CD19- B220+) cells, including NK cells, that can inhibit both E47 (E2A) protein and surrogate light chain protein expression in B cell precursors. In vitro, NK-associated inhibition of E47 protein is contact-independent and partially reversed by neutralization of TNFα. In vivo, depletion of NK cells in aged mice by treatment with anti-asialo GM1 antibody led to restoration of surrogate light chain protein levels to that typical of young B cell precursors. These studies suggest that NK cells, within the CD19- B220+ bone marrow cell fraction, may contribute to a bone marrow microenvironment that has the potential to negatively regulate E47 (E2A) as well as surrogate light chain levels in B cell precursors in old age.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 384-392 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Mechanisms of Ageing and Development |
Volume | 130 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2009 |
Keywords
- B cell precursors
- Bone marrow microenvironment
- E2A
- NK cell
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aging
- Developmental Biology