Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: Signals mediated by the p38alpha MAPK have been implicated in many processes required for the development and effector functions of innate and adaptive immune responses. As mice deficient in p38alpha exhibit embryonic lethality, most analyses of p38alpha function in lymphocytes have relied on the use of pharmacologic inhibitors and dominant-negative or constitutively active transgenes. In this study, we have generated a panel of low passage p38alpha(+/+), p38alpha(+/-), and p38alpha(-/-) embryonic stem (ES) cells through the intercrossing of p38alpha(+/-) mice. These ES cells were used to generate chimeric mice by RAG-deficient blastocyst complementation, with the lymphocytes in these mice being derived entirely from the ES cells. Surprisingly, B and T cell development were indistinguishable when comparing chimeric mice generated with p38alpha(+/+), p38alpha(+/-), and p38alpha(-/-) ES cell lines. Moreover, proliferation of p38alpha(-/-) B and T cells in response to Ag receptor and non-Ag receptor stimuli was intact. Thus, p38alpha is not an essential component of signaling pathways required for robust B and T lymphocyte developmental, nor is p38alpha essential for the proliferation of mature B and T cells.
Source: The Journal of Immunology
Institution: Washington University in St. Louis
Language: English
Topic: T-cell and B-cell Immunology
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Award: G6663286089
OpenAlex ID: W2130129279