Reduction of TRAF3 by heterozygosity or aging impacts B cell function

TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) is a signaling adaptor protein that is ubiquitously expressed but has highly distinct cell type-specific functions. TRAF3 plays critical roles in restraint of B lymphocyte activation, differentiation, and homeostatic survival. Consistent with such roles, loss-of-function mutations in TRAF3 have long been found in various human B cell malignancies. Mice lacking TRAF3 specifically in B cells have autoimmune manifestations, lymphadenopathy, and increased incidence of B cell lymphomas. More recently, human patients with germline TRAF3 mutations leading to haploinsufficiency have been reported; the phenotypes of these patients show striking similarities with those of mice with TRAF3-deficient B cells. This raises the important knowledge gap of how relative quantity of TRAF3 protein regulates B cells. To address this question, we investigated the effect of decreased B cell TRAF3 using mice whose B cells are heterozygous for loss of Traf3. Traf3^+/- B cells displayed multiple functional abnormalities, to an extent intermediate between Traf3^+/+ and Traf3^-/- B cells, indicating a striking dose-response of B cells to relative quantities of TRAF3. Additionally, B cell TRAF3 protein-but not transcript-was reduced in B cells from normal aged mice and humans, consistent with increased occurrence of both B cell hyperactivity and B cell malignancies in older populations. Treatment of aged mice with a proteasome inhibitor restored the level of B cell TRAF3, suggesting age-related chronic signaling through receptors that lead to TRAF3 degradation. Thus, relative levels of B cell TRAF3 protein have important biological impacts on B cell function.