Aberrant CD40-induced NF-κB activation in human lupus B lymphocytes

Auto-reactive B lymphocytes and its abnormal CD40 signaling play important roles in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study, we analyzed CD40 expression and CD40/CD154 induced activation of NF-κB signaling pathway in B cells from SLE patients. B cells from healthy volunteers and tonsilar B cells from chronic tonsillitis were used as negative and positive controls. Results showed CD40-induced NF-κB signaling was constitutively activated in B cells from active lupus patients, including decreased CD40 in raft portion, increased phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, phosphorylation of P65, as well as increased nuclear translocation of P65, P50, c-Rel, which could be blocked by anti-CD154. CD154 stimulation could induce further phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα, as well as phosphorylation of P65 and nuclear translocation of P65. In addition, CD40-induced kinase activities in B cells from lupus patients mimicked that of tonsil B cells, in that IKKα/β were more activated compared to normal B cells. CD40-induced NF-κB activity was blocked by both IκB phosphorylation and proteosome degradation inhibitors in both lupus and normal B cells. All together, our findings revealed that canonical NF-κB signaling is constitutively activated in active lupus and is mediated by CD154/CD40. CD40 induced NF-κB activation is different in human lupus B lymphocytes compared with normal B cells.