Variations in Gnai2 and Rgs1 expression affect chemokine receptor signaling and the organization of secondary lymphoid organs

Genes Immun. 2010 Jul;11(5):384-96. doi: 10.1038/gene.2010.27. Epub 2010 May 27.

Abstract

Ligand bound chemoattractant receptors activate the heterotrimeric G-protein G(i) to stimulate downstream signaling pathways to properly position lymphocytes in lymphoid organs. Here, we show how variations in the expression of a chemokine receptor and in two components in the signaling pathway, Galpha(i2) and RGS1, affect the output fidelity of the signaling pathway. Examination of B cells from mice with varying numbers of intact alleles of Ccr7, Rgs1, Gnai2, and Gnai3 provided the basis for these results. Loss of a single allele of either Gnai2 or Rgs1 affected CCL19 triggered chemotaxis, whereas the loss of a single allele of Ccr7, which encodes the cognate CCL19 receptor, had little effect. Emphasizing the importance of Gnai2, B cells lacking Gnai3 expression responded to chemokines better than did wild-type B cells. At an organismal level, variations in Rgs1 and Gnai2 expression affected marginal zone B-cell development, splenic architecture, lymphoid follicle size, and germinal center morphology. Gnai2 expression was also needed for the proper alignment of MOMA-1(+) macrophages and MAdCAM-1(+) endothelial cells along marginal zone sinuses in the spleen. These data indicate that chemoattractant receptors, heterotrimeric G-proteins, and RGS protein expression levels have a complex interrelationship that affects the responses to chemoattractant exposure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Chemokine CCL19 / immunology
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / immunology
  • Chemokine CXCL13 / immunology
  • Chemotaxis / immunology
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunit, Gi2 / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunit, Gi2 / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphoid Tissue / anatomy & histology*
  • Lymphoid Tissue / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mucoproteins
  • RGS Proteins / genetics
  • RGS Proteins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, CCR7 / genetics
  • Receptors, CCR7 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Chemokine / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*

Substances

  • Ccl19 protein, mouse
  • Ccr7 protein, mouse
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Chemokine CCL19
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokine CXCL13
  • Cxcl12 protein, mouse
  • Cxcl13 protein, mouse
  • Madcam1 protein, mouse
  • Mucoproteins
  • RGS Proteins
  • Receptors, CCR7
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Rgs1 protein, mouse
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunit, Gi2
  • Gnai2 protein, mouse