Iκb Kinase α Is Essential for Mature B Cell Development and Function

The nuclear factor (NF)¹-κB family of transcription factors plays critical roles in the activation of inflammatory immune responses 1,2. In resting cells, NF-κBs associate with IκBs and are retained in the cytoplasm as inactive forms. Proinflammatory stimuli, such as LPS, IL-1, or TNF-α, cause phosphorylation and degradation of IκBs, which lead to NF-κB activation. The protein kinases that phosphorylate IκB have been identified by three independent groups 3,4,5,6,7. Two IκB kinases (IKKs), IKKα and IKKβ, are main components of the IκB kinase complex and homologous with each other in the amino acid structures. Both contain a kinase domain, a leucine zipper, and a helix-loop-helix. However, gene targeting experiments revealed that they function differentially depending on the tissue. IKKα is essential for limb patterning and for epidermal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation 8,9,10. Meanwhile, IKKβ-deficient mice showed a massive apoptosis of hepatocytes 11,12,13. Furthermore, IKKβ, but not IKKα, was found to be essential for NF-κB activation by proinflammatory cytokines.

B lineage cells also contain NF-κB activity, which can be augmented by LPS or CD40 ligation. All known mammalian members of the NF-κB/Rel transcription factor family, including p50(NF-κB1), p52(NF-κB2), p65(RelA), RelB, and c-Rel, are expressed in B cells 14,15,16,17,18. Gene targeting of these components caused various levels of impairment of B cell generation and function 19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28. However, because IKKα- and IKKβ-deficient mice died in an early neonatal period, it is unclear whether IKKα or IKKβ is involved in NF-κB activation in B lineage cells.

To investigate how IKKα is involved in lymphocytes, we have established bone marrow (BM) chimeras with a transfer of fetal liver cells from mice obtained by intercrossing IKKα^+/− mice. IKKα^−/− chimeras showed a reduction of mature B cell population, impairment of basal and Ag-specific Ig production, and disruption of splenic microarchitecture including germinal center (GC) formation. Our results revealed the critical roles of IKKα in peripheral B cell survival and maturation.

Generation of IKKα^−/− mice was described previously 10. H2K-bcl-2 transgenic (tg) mice overexpressing Bcl-2 29 were provided by Dr. I. Weissman (Stanford University, Stanford, CA). IKKα^+/− mice were intercrossed to obtain embryos with IKKα^1/+, IKKα^1/−, or IKKα^−/− genotype. bcl-2-tg-IKKα^−/− embryos were obtained from bcl-2-tg-IKKα^1/− × IKKα^+/− mating. For each chimera, 5–10 × 10⁶ fetal liver cells from the embryos at day 13.5–15.5 of gestation were transferred intravenously into a recombination activating gene (RAG)2-deficient C57BL/6 (B6) mice 30 that had received 12 Gy from an x-ray irradiation system, MBR-1520R (Hitachi Medical Corporation) before transfer, as described previously 31. The recipient mice were given 1 mg/ml neomycin sulfate and 1,000 U/ml polymyxin B in their drinking water after irradiation and analyzed 6–10 wk after reconstitution.

Single cell suspensions were incubated first with anti-CD16/32 to minimize nonspecific staining and stained with cocktails of mAbs conjugated to FITC, PE, or biotin for 20 min at 4°C. The biotinylated Abs were developed with streptavidin conjugated to PE or Cychrome. All mAbs, except PE-labeled anti-IgD (Southern Biotechnology Associates, Inc.), were purchased from BD PharMingen. Flow cytometric analysis was performed using a FACSCalibur™ (Becton Dickinson) with CELLQuest™ software (Becton Dickinson).

Cells were cultured at 2 × 10⁶ per ml in 24-well plates for the indicated periods with or without 25 μg/ml LPS (055:B5; Difco) or 0.5 μg/ml anti-CD40 (BD PharMingen). Harvested cells were stained with PE-B220 and further stained with annexin-V-FLUOS staining kit (Boehringer) by following the manufacturer's protocol. Stained cells were analyzed with a FACSCalibur™.

Splenic B cells were purified by depletion of non-B cells with a Magnetic Cell Sorter (MACS; Miltenyi Biotec). In brief, splenocytes were first stained with biotinylated anti-CD43 mAb and incubated with streptavidin microbeads. Then CD43⁻ cells were purified on MACS AS column and used as splenic B cells 32. Splenic T cells were also purified by MACS with biotinylated anti-CD8 mAb, and CD4 and streptavidin microbeads. The resulting B and T cell preparations contained >90% B220⁺ cells and 95% CD3⁺ cells, respectively, as determined by FACS^®. The B cells (10⁵ cells/well) from chimeras were cultured in complete RPMI 1640 (RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% FCS, 2-ME, penicillin, and streptomycin) with or without 25 μg/ml LPS, 0.5 μg/ml anti-CD40, 0.5 μg/ml anti-CD40 plus 200 U/ml IL-4, or 25 μg/ml LPS plus 0.5 μg/ml anti-CD40. After 48 h, they were pulsed with 0.2 μCi of [³H]thymidine (NEN Life Science Products) and cultured for a further 15 h. [³H]Thymidine incorporation was measured with a liquid scintillation counter, Top Count (Packard Instrument Co.).

Chimeric mice were fed with light-protected drinking water containing 1 mg/ml 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU; Wako) for 4 d. BrdU-labeled cells were detected by flow cytometric analysis with FITC-conjugated anti-BrdU Ab, 3D4 (BD PharMingen). In brief, splenic cells were stained with PE-B220 and fixed with PBS containing 1% paraformaldehyde and 0.01% Tween 20 for 24 h at 4°C. Cells were washed and incubated for 1 h at 37°C in 40 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0, containing 10 mM NaCl, 6 mM MgCl₂, and 50 Kuniz units of DNase I (Sigma-Aldrich). Then cells were washed and incubated with FITC–anti-BrdU or FITC-conjugated control Ab in the presence of 0.5% Tween 20. Stained cells were analyzed with a FACSCalibur™.

Splenic B (CD43⁻) cells from IKKα^1/+ and IKKα^−/− mice were incubated with or without 25 μg/ml LPS or 0.5 μg/ml anti-CD40 for 1.5 h. Then, whole cell lysates were prepared, and NF-κB DNA binding activities were analyzed as described previously 33. For supershift analysis, Abs for each NF-κB component (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.) were incubated with the lysates before the addition of an NF-κB oligonucleotide probe.

Purified splenic B cells were incubated with or without 25 μg/ml LPS or 0.5 μg/ml anti-CD40 for 2 h. Extraction of total RNAs, reverse transcription, and PCR analysis were performed as described previously 31. Primers for A1 were as follows: sense primer, 5′-TCATGCATATCCACTCCCTGGCTGAGC-3′; and antisense primer, 5′-GTCCTGTCATCTGCAGAAAAGTCAGCC-3′.

Serum Ig isotype concentrations of RAG2-deficient chimeras were analyzed by ELISA as described 34. Abs and standard Igs were purchased from Southern Biotechnology Associates, Inc. For T cell–dependent immune responses, mice were immunized with 100 μg/head of alum-precipitated chicken γ-globulin (CG) coupled to 4-hydroxy-3-nitro-phenylacetyl (NP) and bled at the indicated days. The serum titers of NP-specific IgM and IgG1 were determined by ELISA as described 34. Statistical analysis was performed with the unpaired Student's t test.

Mice were killed 14 d after immunization with NP-CG, and the spleens were removed promptly. Each spleen was divided into two pieces, one piece for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain and the other for immunohistochemistry. For HE stain, spleen tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, pH 7.2, and embedded in paraffin. Deparaffinized sections (4 μm thick) were then stained with HE. For immunohistochemistry, freshly dissected spleens were covered with Tissue-Tek OCT compound (Miles, Inc.) and quickly frozen in liquid nitrogen. Frozen sections (4 μm thick) were then fixed with ice cold acetone, and incubated in 3% H₂O₂ in 50% methanol for 30 min to inactivate internal peroxidase. After washing with PBS, the sections were incubated with normal goat serum or normal horse serum (Vector Laboratories) to block nonspecific binding of Abs, and subsequently with the following reagents: anti-B220 (BD PharMingen), anti-IgD (Southern Biotechnology Associates, Inc.), biotin-conjugated peanut agglutinin (PNA; Seikagaku kogyo), follicular dendritic cell (FDC)-M1 (reference 35; a gift from Dr. M.H. Kosco-Vilbois, Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Geneva, Switzerland), biotinylated F4/80 (Serotec), MOMA-1 (Serotec), antisialoadhesin (Serotec), or rabbit anti–BST-1 serum (reference 36; a gift from Drs. T. Hirano and K. Ishihara, Osaka University). For negative controls, rabbit preimmune serum or isotype-matched rat IgGs were used. After washing with PBS, sections were further incubated with biotin-conjugated, goat anti–rabbit IgG (Vector Laboratories) or rabbit anti–rat Igs (Dako). Immunoreacted cells were then visualized by using a Vectastain ABC Elite kit (Vector Laboratories) and diaminobenzine tetrahydrochloride (Sigma-Aldrich). The sections were lightly counterstained with hematoxylin.

IKKα-deficient mice die in an early neonatal period 8,9,10. To analyze roles of IKKα in hematopoietic cells, BM chimeras were established and analyzed for lymphocyte populations in various organs with flow cytometry (Fig. 1). In the peripheral blood (PB), B220⁺ cells in IKKα^2/− chimeras significantly decreased compared with those in IKKα^1/+ chimeras. Concomitant with decrease in the B cell population, the CD3⁺ T cell population increased in IKKα^−/− chimeras (Fig. 1 A). Also in the spleen, decrease of B220⁺ and increase of CD3⁺ T cells were observed in IKKα^2/− chimeras (Fig. 1 C). The results from IKKα^1/− chimeras were similar to IKKα^1/+ chimeras (data not shown). Mean total spleen cell numbers from 18 control (IKKα^1/+ and ^+/−) and 19 ^−/− chimeras were 2.1 × 10⁷ and 1.2 × 10⁷, respectively. Therefore, the increase of CD3⁺ T cell population percentages is not because of an increase of its absolute numbers. Furthermore, CD4 versus CD8 staining of thymus and spleen revealed no significant differences between IKKα^1/+ and IKKα^−/− chimeras, indicating that T cell development proceeds normally in the absence of IKKα (data not shown).

Next, we analyzed splenic B cell maturation status in chimeras (Fig. 1 C). Peripheral B cell development proceeds from immature IgM^highIgD^high to mature IgM^lowIgD^high cells 37,38. The decrease of B cell numbers in IKKα^2/− chimeras was more prominent in IgM^lowIgD^high cells than in IgM^highIgD^high cells. Given the decrease of total spleen cell numbers, the IgM^highIgD^high cell population in IKKα^2/− chimeras was also reduced approximately twofold. B cell maturation is also characterized by the upregulation of CD21 and CD23 and the downregulation of heat stable antigen (HSA; reference 39). This marker analysis (Fig. 1 C), together with IgM versus IgD staining, clearly demonstrates that mature B cells were more severely decreased than immature B cells in the spleen of IKKα^2/− chimeras.

We also analyzed early B cell development in the BM (Fig. 1 B). The population size of pro-B (CD43⁺ IgM⁻B220⁺), pre-B (CD43⁻IgM⁻B220⁺), and immature B (CD43⁻IgM⁺B220^low) cells was comparable between IKKα^1/+ and IKKα^2/− chimeras. However, mature recirculating B (CD43⁻IgM⁺B220^high) cells 40 significantly decreased in IKKα^2/− chimeras (7.0%) compared with those in IKKα^1/+ chimeras (29.3%).

NF-κB activity has been shown to mediate antiapoptotic activity in various cells including B cells 41,42. We have examined survival of B lineage cells in both IKKα^1/+ and IKKα^2/− chimeras with annexin V binding activity. PB from the chimeras was cultured in vitro in the absence of mitogens for the indicated periods and analyzed for their annexin V binding activity with FACS^® (Fig. 2A and Fig. B). Before culture (0 h), percentages of B220⁺annexin⁺ cells in PB were higher in IKKα^2/− chimeras (3.3/7.1 + 3.3 = 31.7%) than in IKKα^1/+ chimeras (4.3/4.3 + 26.2 = 14.1%) (Fig. 2A and Fig. B). B220⁺annexin⁺ cells reached >95% of the total B220⁺ cells in IKKα^2/− chimeras after 24 h of culture, whereas they were 63.4 and 83.7% in IKKα^1/+ chimeras after 24 and 48 h of culture, respectively. Likewise, survival of splenic B cells was severely impaired in IKKα^2/− chimeras before and throughout the culture period (Fig. 2A and Fig. B).

Mitogens such as LPS or anti-CD40 can induce B cell activation by inducing NF-κB activation. At 48 h, annexin⁺ B cell percentages of LPS-stimulated IKKα^1/1 splenocytes (57.3%) were less than those of unstimulated ones (68.9%; Fig. 2 B). However, LPS could not decrease annexin⁺ B cell percentages in IKKα^2/− chimeras. Furthermore, after 48 h of stimulation with anti-CD40, annexin⁺ B cell percentages in IKKα^1/1 splenocytes decreased to 21.2%, while those in IKKα^2/− splenocytes, although slightly reduced, remained at 71.3%. Thus, at any culture periods, with or without mitogens, cell death was significantly augmented in IKKα^2/− B cells.

In vivo B cell turnover rate was evaluated in chimeras. BrdU-labeled B220⁺ cells were 10.9 and 8.6% in the spleens of IKKα^1/+ and IKKα^2/− chimeras, respectively (Fig. 2 C). Considering the decrease of B cell percentages in IKKα^2/− chimeras, it can be reasonably assumed that about two times more percentages of B cells were labeled with BrdU in IKKα^2/− chimeras than in IKKα^1/+ chimeras. The results clearly suggest that B cell turnover in vivo is enhanced in the absence of IKKα.

We have analyzed splenic B cell responses to LPS and anti-CD40 with thymidine incorporation (Fig. 3 A). The incorporation of IKKα^2/− B cells stimulated with LPS or anti-CD40 was ∼5–10 times less than that of IKKα^1/+ B cells. Simultaneous stimulation with LPS and anti-CD40 could enhance the proliferation of IKKα^2/− B cells, but not to the same level as IKKα^1/+ B cells (Fig. 3 A). Furthermore, blast formation by LPS or anti-CD40 was severely attenuated in IKKα^2/− B cells (Fig. 3 B). In contrast, thymocytes and splenic T cells derived from IKKα^2/− chimeras showed normal proliferative responses to T cell mitogens such as IL-2 plus anti-CD3 or IL-2 plus Con A (data not shown).

We next analyzed NF-κB activity in IKKα^1/+ and IKKα^2/− splenic B cells with or without LPS or anti-CD40 (Fig. 4). Although the mitogens could enhance the NF-κB DNA binding activity in both IKKα^1/+ and ^−/− B cells, the magnitude of the activity was decreased in IKKα^2/− B cells (Fig. 4 A). Anti-CD40–induced NF-κB activation was more severely impaired than the LPS-induced one in IKKα^2/− B cells.

To determine the components of NF-κB complexes, we performed a supershift analysis by using specific Abs (Fig. 4 B). In IKKα^1/+ B cells, anti-p50 supershifted nearly all the LPS-induced complexes, while anti-p65 did parts of them. Hence, the remaining complex in IKKα^1/+ B cells with anti-p65 treatment seems to correspond mainly to p50/p50 homodimer. The results showed that LPS can mainly induce p50/p50 homodimer and p50/p65 heterodimer as NF-κB complexes. In addition, other components also contributed to NF-κB binding activity to some extent because anti-p52, –c-Rel, and -RelB Abs partially inhibited the binding. As observed in IKKα^1/+ B cells, the detectable NF-κB complex in IKKα^2/− B cells showed a similar supershift pattern, indicating that the composition of residual NF-κB complexes in IKKα^2/− B cells is not grossly different from that in IKKα^1/+ B cells.

NF-κB is involved in the expression of antiapoptotic genes. For example, c-Rel is essential for not only basal but also mitogen-induced expression of A1 43. A1 expression remains low during BM B cell development, but is upregulated 10-fold as cells maturate into a long-lived peripheral B cell stage, suggesting that constitutive A1 expression is critically involved in resting mature B cell survival 44. Therefore, we examined A1 gene expression in IKKα^1/+ and IKKα^2/− B cells with or without mitogens. LPS or anti-CD40 could enhance A1 gene expression not only in IKKα^1/+ B cells but also in IKKα^2/− B cells (Fig. 5). However, basal expression of A1 was lower in IKKα^2/− B cells than in IKKα^1/+ B cells.

To assess whether the prevention of IKKα^2/− B cell apoptosis can restore peripheral B cell development, IKKα^2/− chimeras expressing the bcl-2 transgene were established and analyzed by FACS^® (Fig. 1 C). Total spleen cell numbers of bcl-2-tg-IKKα^2/− chimeras (8.9 × 10⁷, n = 5) were prominently increased compared with IKKα^2/− chimeras. CD3 versus B220 staining revealed that Bcl-2 expression corrected the ratio of B to T cells in IKKα^2/− chimeras. Next, B cell maturation status was analyzed with several markers. Although percentages of IgM^lowIgD^high and IgM^highIgD^high cell populations increased, the ratio of IgM^lowIgD^high to IgM^highIgD^high cell population in bcl-2-tg-IKKα^2/− chimeras was not significantly different from IKKα^2/− chimeras. Furthermore, in bcl-2-tg-IKKα^2/− chimeras, CD21 expression on B220⁺ cells remained as low as IKKα^2/− chimeras. However, CD23 upregulation and HSA downregulation were restored by Bcl-2 expression. Thus, bcl-2 transgene expression could enhance B lineage cell expansion, but only partially restore B cell maturation in the absence of IKKα.

We further investigated immune functions of IKKα^1/+ and IKKα^2/− chimeras. Basal production of all Ig isotypes in IKKα^2/− chimeras was reduced to 1/50 or less of those in IKKα^1/+ chimeras (P < 0.0001, Fig. 6 A). Furthermore, T cell–dependent immune responses were severely impaired in IKKα^2/− chimeras because Ag-specific IgM and IgG1 levels of IKKα^2/− chimeras were <1/10 of IKKα^1/+ chimeras (Fig. 6 B, anti-NP IgM at day 7, P < 0.001; anti-NP IgM at day 14 and IgG1 at day 7 and 14, P < 0.0001).

Histological analysis was performed to evaluate the GC formation and splenic microarchitecture 14 d after immunization (Fig. 7). HE, B220, and IgD staining revealed the well-developed GC with clear B cell areas in control chimeras. In contrast, in IKKα^2/− chimeras, poor GC formation was revealed with HE stain, although B220⁺ or IgD⁺ cells clearly formed B cell areas. Remarkably, PNA⁺ cell clusters, which represent GC B cells, were not detected at all in the spleen of IKKα^2/− chimeras.

To further investigate the alterations of the splenic microarchitecture in IKKα^2/− chimeras, tissue sections were also stained with markers for FDCs or macrophages (Fig. 7 B). FDC clusters, defined by FDC-M1 35, were readily detected in IKKα^1/+ chimeras but not in IKKα^2/− chimeras. A stromal cell antigen, BST-1/Bp-3, is expressed on stromal cells in the T zone and follicles 45,46,47, which include precursors of FDCs 48. Expression patterns of BST-1/Bp-3 were equivalent in IKKα ^+/+ and IKKα^2/− chimeras, suggesting that there are FDC precursors in IKKα^2/− chimeras. Meanwhile, marginal metallophilic macrophages, identified by MOMA-1 or an antisialoadhesin Ab, were clearly detected in IKKα^1/+ chimeras but not in IKKα^2/− chimeras. Furthermore, F4/80⁺ red pulp macrophages in IKKα^1/+ chimeras were clearly excluded into the red pulp, while some F4/80⁺ cells in IKKα^2/− chimeras migrated into the white pulp. Collectively, these histological findings clearly indicate that IKKα is critical not only for GC formation but also for establishing the splenic microarchitecture.

We have generated BM chimeras to elucidate in vivo roles of IKKα in lymphocytes. Although certain NF-κB subunit-deficient mice showed T cell defects in population size or proliferative responses 24,25,28,49, IKKα^2/− chimeras did not, indicating that IKKα is not essential for T cell development or proliferation. This is also consistent with previous findings, including ours, that cytokine- or T cell receptor–induced NF-κB activation is dependent on IKKβ, but not on IKKα in T lineage cells 10,50. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that IKKα is involved in some T cell functions.

Our results clearly demonstrate that IKKα is involved in mature B cell development and function, but not in early B cell development. NF-κB components are developmentally regulated in B lineage cells 14,15. Gene targeting revealed that an individual NF-κB component plays its own critical roles in a B cell stage–specific manner. For example, BM chimeras transplanted with p50/p65 double knockout fetal liver cells lacked pro-B cells 27, indicating that the p50/p65 heterodimer is essential for early B lymphopoiesis. On the contrary, mutant mice lacking c-Rel showed normal BM B cell development, but manifested impairment of mitogenic responses, basal production of all Ig isotypes, and T cell–dependent immune responses 28. Although p50 is a major component for NF-κB throughout B cell development, p50-deficient mice showed impairment of mature B cell functions: low responses to LPS, reduction of some isotypes of serum Igs (IgG1, IgG2b, IgA, and IgE), and impairment of immune responses 19. Therefore, the phenotype of IKKα^2/− chimeras was more similar to c-Rel– or p50-deficient mice than to p50/p65-deficient mice, in the respect that peripheral, not BM, B cell development is impaired.

Mutant mice lacking other NF-κB components also showed a similar phenotype to IKKα^2/− chimeras. For example, targeting of p52 results in a decrease of B cells, low responses to B cell mitogens, and impaired GC formation 23,26. An IκB family member, Bcl-3, can function as a potent coactivator with p50/p50 or p52/p52 homodimers 51,52. Bcl-3–deficient mice also showed decrease of B cells and impairment of GC formation 53,54. However, GC formation was restored by the transfer of p52- or Bcl-3–deficient lymphocytes into irradiated RAG1-deficient mice 26. Thus, p52 and Bcl-3 play critical roles in non-BM stromal cells, while IKKα does in lymphocytes despite their similar phenotype.

Mutant mice established so far lacking a single NF-κB component showed an apparently less severe phenotype than IKKα^2/− chimeras. For example, the B cell population is not decreased in c-Rel– or p50-deficient mice. In addition, not all isotypes of Ig production were impaired and GC formation was observed in p50-deficient mice 19,26,53. Double knockout mice manifested more severe phenotype than single knockout mice, exemplified by p50/p52 double knockout mice with severe mature B cell defects 25. Furthermore, tg mice harboring a dominant negative form of IκB, in which function of more than one NF-κB component is presumably attenuated, showed mature B cell decrease as in IKKα^2/− chimeras 55. Given these findings, it can be assumed that IKKα is critically involved in the activation of several NF-κB components in B cells.

Histologically, B220⁺ or IgD⁺ staining indicates that IKKα expression in hematopoietic cells is dispensable for T–B compartmentalization. However, IKKα^2/−chimeras showed loss of GC marker such as PNA or FDC-M1 with normal BST-1/Bp-3 expression. GC formation proceeds with FDC generation from FDC precursors expressing BST-1/Bp-3 in a mature B cell–dependent manner 48. Therefore, these histological findings are consistent with mature B cell decrease in IKKα^2/− chimeras.

What brings about decrease of mature B cells in the absence of IKKα? It is possible that IKKα is critically involved in survival, mitogenic proliferation, or development in B cells. Cell turnover analysis in vivo and annexin staining in vitro (Fig. 2) clearly indicate enhanced cell death of IKKα^2/− B cells. In addition, impaired mitogenic responses were also observed in IKKα^2/− B cells (Fig. 3). Thus, IKKα should be critical not only for preventing B cell death but also for B cell mitogenic responses. Similar abnormalities were found in some NF-κB mutant mice. For example, p50^−/− B cells manifested enhancement of apoptosis 22. Furthermore, B cell mitogenic responses were impaired in mutant mice lacking p50, c-Rel, or Rel-B 19,20,21,24,28.

We further addressed whether IKKα deficiency can lead to B cell developmental block. To rescue B cells from apoptosis, we have introduced bcl-2 transgene expression into the IKKα^2/− background. Bcl-2 could restore the ratio of B to T cells, CD23 upregulation, and HSA downregulation, but neither differentiation into IgM^lowIgD^high cells nor CD21 upregulation in IKKα^2/− chimeras. Partial restoration of IKKα^2/− B cell development with bcl-2 transgene expression indicates that IKKα is critically involved in peripheral B cell development. It is also possible that the developmental defect caused by IKKα deficiency can make B cells susceptible to apoptosis and hyporesponsive to mitogens.

B cell receptor (BCR) signaling is critical for maintenance of the peripheral B cell population 56. Once B cells lack surface Ig, they die through an apoptotic pathway 56. Mature B cell reduction is also observed in mutant mice lacking BCR signaling molecules such as Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK; references 57, 58), B cell linker protein (BLNK/SLP-65; references 59, 60), phosphoinositide 3-kinase p85α 61,62, or phospholipase C-γ2 63,64. Notably, enhanced apoptosis of B lineage cells was also detected in the xid mice carrying the mutation in BTK 38. BTK is essential for coupling the BCR signal to NF-κB activation 65,66. In addition, BCR signaling can activate phosphoinositide 3-kinase and a serine/threonine kinase, Akt 67, which can induce phosphorylation of IKKα 68. These findings suggest the possibility that IKKα is involved in BCR signaling.

Several lines of evidences suggest that IKKβ, but not IKKα, is mainly involved in cytokine-induced NF-κB activation 8,9,10,11,12,13. This seems inconsistent with our finding that NF-κB activation by LPS or anti-CD40 was decreased in IKKα^2/− B cells. However, activation is still inducible and sufficient for partial responses to LPS and anti-CD40 (Fig. 2 B and 3 A) and A1 gene induction (Fig. 5), indicating that IKKβ can still function without IKKα.

The inducible expression of A1 was also observed in p50-deficient B cells, which manifested enhanced apoptosis 22,43. In contrast, c-Rel–deficient B cells manifested impaired induction of A1 expression but no enhanced apoptosis 22,43. This might suggest that similar molecular defects, although unidentified, may underlie the augmented cell death of p50- and IKKα-deficient B cells.

In conclusion, this study strongly suggests that IKKα plays crucial roles in the survival, proliferative responses, and maturation of peripheral B cells. The defects caused by IKKα deficiency are most likely intrinsic to B cells, although the possibility cannot formally be excluded that dysfunction of BM-derived, non-B cells also contributes to the phenotype of IKKα^2/− chimeras. It is unclear at present which contributes more to the observed B cell defects, disturbed maturation or dysfunction of already matured B cells. Although the molecular mechanism remains to be clarified yet, IKKα is a critical molecule for maintaining the mature B cell population.

We thank Ms. Akiko Maekawa and Nana Iwami for excellent technical assistance. We also thank Drs. Mitsuru Matsumoto, Takashi Nagasawa, and Yoshiko Murakami for helpful discussion. We are also grateful to Dr. Irving Weissman for the bcl-2-tg mice, Dr. Frederick W. Alt for the RAG2-deficient mice, Drs. Toshio Hirano and Katsuhiko Ishihara for the rabbit anti–BST-1 antiserum, Dr. Marie H. Kosco-Vilbois for the FDC-M1 Ab, and Ms. Claudia Uthoff-Hachenberg and Dr. Klaus Rajewsky for ELISA reagents.

This work was supported in part by grants from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture in Japan, Uehara Memorial Foundation, Novartis Foundation for the Promotion of Science, Kato Memorial Bioscience Foundation, Kowa Life Science Foundation, and Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST) of Japan Science and Technology Corporation.