Abstract
Rai (ShcC) belongs to the family of Shc adaptor proteins and is expressed in neuronal cells, where it acts as a survival factor activating the PI3K/Akt survival pathway. In vivo, Rai protects the brain from ischemic damage. In this study, we show that Rai is expressed in T and B lymphocytes. Based on the finding that Rai-/- mice consistently develop splenomegaly, the role of Rai in lymphocyte homeostasis and proliferation was addressed. Surprisingly, as opposed to neurons, Rai was found to impair lymphocyte survival. Furthermore, Rai deficiency results in a reduction in the frequency of peripheral T cells with a concomitant increase in the frequency of B cells. Rai-/- lymphocytes display enhanced proliferative responses to Ag receptor engagement in vitro, which correlates with enhanced signaling by the TCR and BCR, and more robust responses to allergen sensitization in vivo. A high proportion of Rai-/- mice develop a lupus-like autoimmune syndrome characterized by splenomegaly, spontaneous peripheral T and B cell activation, autoantibody production, and deposition of immune complexes in the kidney glomeruli, resulting in autoimmune glomerulonephritis. The data identify Rai as a negative regulator of lymphocyte survival and activation and show that loss of this protein results in breaking of immunological tolerance and development of systemic autoimmunity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 301-308 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Immunology |
| Volume | 182 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 1 2009 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Rai acts as a negative regulator of autoimmunity by inhibiting antigen receptor signaling and lymphocyte activation. / Savino, Maria Teresa; Ortensi, Barbara; Ferro, Micol; Ulivieri, Cristina; Fanigliulo, Daniela; Paccagnini, Eugenio; Lazzi, Stefano; Osti, Daniela; Pelicci, Giuliana; Baldari, Cosima T.
In: Journal of Immunology, Vol. 182, No. 1, 01.01.2009, p. 301-308.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Rai acts as a negative regulator of autoimmunity by inhibiting antigen receptor signaling and lymphocyte activation
AU - Savino, Maria Teresa
AU - Ortensi, Barbara
AU - Ferro, Micol
AU - Ulivieri, Cristina
AU - Fanigliulo, Daniela
AU - Paccagnini, Eugenio
AU - Lazzi, Stefano
AU - Osti, Daniela
AU - Pelicci, Giuliana
AU - Baldari, Cosima T.
PY - 2009/1/1
Y1 - 2009/1/1
N2 - Rai (ShcC) belongs to the family of Shc adaptor proteins and is expressed in neuronal cells, where it acts as a survival factor activating the PI3K/Akt survival pathway. In vivo, Rai protects the brain from ischemic damage. In this study, we show that Rai is expressed in T and B lymphocytes. Based on the finding that Rai-/- mice consistently develop splenomegaly, the role of Rai in lymphocyte homeostasis and proliferation was addressed. Surprisingly, as opposed to neurons, Rai was found to impair lymphocyte survival. Furthermore, Rai deficiency results in a reduction in the frequency of peripheral T cells with a concomitant increase in the frequency of B cells. Rai-/- lymphocytes display enhanced proliferative responses to Ag receptor engagement in vitro, which correlates with enhanced signaling by the TCR and BCR, and more robust responses to allergen sensitization in vivo. A high proportion of Rai-/- mice develop a lupus-like autoimmune syndrome characterized by splenomegaly, spontaneous peripheral T and B cell activation, autoantibody production, and deposition of immune complexes in the kidney glomeruli, resulting in autoimmune glomerulonephritis. The data identify Rai as a negative regulator of lymphocyte survival and activation and show that loss of this protein results in breaking of immunological tolerance and development of systemic autoimmunity.
AB - Rai (ShcC) belongs to the family of Shc adaptor proteins and is expressed in neuronal cells, where it acts as a survival factor activating the PI3K/Akt survival pathway. In vivo, Rai protects the brain from ischemic damage. In this study, we show that Rai is expressed in T and B lymphocytes. Based on the finding that Rai-/- mice consistently develop splenomegaly, the role of Rai in lymphocyte homeostasis and proliferation was addressed. Surprisingly, as opposed to neurons, Rai was found to impair lymphocyte survival. Furthermore, Rai deficiency results in a reduction in the frequency of peripheral T cells with a concomitant increase in the frequency of B cells. Rai-/- lymphocytes display enhanced proliferative responses to Ag receptor engagement in vitro, which correlates with enhanced signaling by the TCR and BCR, and more robust responses to allergen sensitization in vivo. A high proportion of Rai-/- mice develop a lupus-like autoimmune syndrome characterized by splenomegaly, spontaneous peripheral T and B cell activation, autoantibody production, and deposition of immune complexes in the kidney glomeruli, resulting in autoimmune glomerulonephritis. The data identify Rai as a negative regulator of lymphocyte survival and activation and show that loss of this protein results in breaking of immunological tolerance and development of systemic autoimmunity.
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M3 - Article
VL - 182
SP - 301
EP - 308
JO - Journal of Immunology
JF - Journal of Immunology
SN - 0022-1767
IS - 1
ER -