STAT3 couples with 14-3-3σ to regulate BCR signaling, B-cell differentiation, and IgE production

STAT3 or dedicator of cytokinesis protein 8 (Dock8) loss-of-function (LOF) mutations cause hyper-IgE syndrome. The role of abnormal T-cell function has been extensively investigated; however, the contribution of B-cell-intrinsic dysfunction to elevated IgE levels is unclear.

We sought to determine the underlying molecular mechanism of how STAT3 regulates B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling, B-cell differentiation, and IgE production.

We used samples from patients with STAT3 LOF mutation and samples from the STAT3 B-cell-specific knockout (KO) mice Mb1^CreStat3^flox/flox mice (B-STAT3 KO) to investigate the mechanism of hyper-IgE syndrome.

We found that the peripheral B-cell homeostasis in B-STAT3 KO mice mimicked the phenotype of patients with STAT3 LOF mutation, having decreased levels of follicular and germinal center B cells but increased levels of marginal zone and IgE⁺ B cells. Furthermore, B-STAT3 KO B cells had reduced BCR signaling following antigenic stimulation owing to reduced BCR clustering and decreased accumulation of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein and F-actin. Excitingly, a central hub protein, 14-3-3σ, which is essential for the increase in IgE production, was enhanced in the B cells of B-STAT3 KO mice and patients with STAT3 LOF mutation. The increase of 14-3-3σ was associated with increased expression of the upstream mediator, microRNA146A. Inhibition of 14-3-3σ with R18 peptide in B-STAT3 KO mice rescued the BCR signaling, follicular, germinal center, and IgE⁺ B-cell differentiation to the degree seen in wild-type mice.

Altogether, our study has established a novel regulatory pathway of STAT3-miRNA146A-14-3-3σ to regulate BCR signaling, peripheral B-cell differentiation, and IgE production.