Differentiation-associated redox-regulation in human B cell lines from stem cell/pro-B to plasma cell

Redox-regulation of receptors and transcription factors are important for lymphocyte activation, differentiation and apoptosis. Thioredoxin (Trx) is a key redox-regulating protein and oxidative stress sensor operating in synergy with Trx-reductase and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). The expression of Trx, PDI, and the Trx-regulated transcription-factor Pax5 were analyzed in a panel of human B cell lines and were compared with that of the Bcl-2 family proteins, also redox-controlled. The panel included representative cells from various stages: FLEB14-4 (pro-B); REH and NALM-6 (pre-B); Rael and Daudi (small mature B); U-698 and NC0467.3 (B-blasts); LP-1, U-1996, and U-266 (plasma cells). We found a significant congruence and co-variation of Trx and Bcl-2 levels in the B-lineage, with high expression levels in early stages (pro-B and pre-B) and in the late stage representing terminally-differentiated plasma cells, whereas mid-stage small resting B cells showed a very low expression. PDI increased significantly in plasma-blasts and plasma cells, indicating its importance in the highly specialized immunoglobulin assembly-machinery, including disulfide-bond isomerization. Pax5 was expressed in early and mid-stages, but was silenced in terminal stages. We conclude that the high Trx and Bcl-2-expression early and late in the B cell maturation pathway reflects a redox-strategy favoring an increased survival potential of the B cells at those stages.