Mouse gene-targeting studies have documented a central role of the p110␦ isoform of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in B-cell development and function. A defect in B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling is key to this B-cell phenotype. Here we further characterize this signaling defect and report that a p110␦-selective small molecule inhibitor mirrors the effect of genetic inactivation of p110␦ in BCR signaling. p110␦ activity is indispensable for BCR-induced DNA synthesis and phosphorylation of Akt/protein kinase B (PKB), forkhead transcription factor/forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a), and p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K), with modest effects on the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 ␣/ (GSK3␣/) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk). The PI3K-dependent component of intracellular calcium mobilization also completely relies on p110␦ catalytic activity. Resting B cells with inactive p110␦ fail to enter the cell cycle, correlating with an incapacity to up-regulate the expression of cyclins D2, A, and E, and to phosphorylate the retinoblastoma protein (Rb). p110␦ is also critical for interleukin 4 (IL-4)-induced phosphorylation of Akt/PKB and FOXO3a, and protection from apoptosis. Taken together, these data show that defects observed in p110␦ mutant mice are not merely a consequence of altered B-cell differentiation, and emphasize the potential utility of p110␦ as a drug target in autoimmune diseases in which B cells play a crucial role.
IntroductionSignal transduction through the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) and cytokine receptors regulates multiple biologic functions such as growth, proliferation, differentiation, and survival, depending on the maturation state of the B lymphocyte. [1][2][3][4] Intracellular signal transduction by the BCR and cytokine receptors is almost invariably dependent on the activity of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling enzymes. 4,5 Mammals have 8 distinct isoforms of PI3K that have been divided in 3 classes on the basis of their lipid specificity and structure. 6,7 The class I subset of PI3K enzymes generate lipid second messengers that activate a plethora of downstream targets, including protein kinases (such as Akt/protein kinase B [PKB] and Bruton tyrosine kinase [Btk]), guanosine nucleotide exchange factors (such as P-Rex1 and cytohesins), GTPaseactivating proteins (such as members of the centaurin family), and adaptor molecules (such as Bam 32). [7][8][9] Class I PI3Ks are heterodimers consisting of a p110 catalytic subunit and a regulatory subunit. These PI3Ks have been further divided in the IA and IB subclasses, which signal in tyrosine kinase-driven and G protein-coupled receptor pathways, respectively.Genes for 3 class IA p110 isoforms (p110␣, p110, p110␦) and a single class IB PI3K isoform (p110␥) exist. p110␥ and p110␦ are mainly expressed in leukocytes, in contrast to p110␣ and p110, which have a broader tissue distribution. The class IA regulatory subunits have Src-homology region 2 (SH2) domains that recruit the class IA p110 catalytic subunits to p...