Reports outline life sciences study findings from University of Limoges.

According to recent research published in the Journal of Immunology, "Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a major neuronal growth factor, is also known to exert an antiapoptotic effect in myeloma cells. Whereas BDNF secretion was described in B lymphocytes, the ability of B cells to produce sortilin, its transport protein, was not previously reported."

"We studied BDNF production and the expression of its receptors, tyrosine protein kinase receptor B and p75 neurotrophin receptor in the human pre-B, mature, and plasmacytic malignant B cell lines under normal and stress culture conditions (serum deprivation, Fas activation, or their combination). BDNF secretion was enhanced by serum deprivation and exerted an antiapoptotic effect, as demonstrated by neutralization experiments with antagonistic Ab. The precursor form, pro-BDNF, also secreted by B cells, decreases under stress conditions in contrast to BDNF production. Stress conditions induced the membranous expression of p75 neurotrophin receptor and tyrosine protein kinase receptor B, maximal in mature B cells, contrasting with the sequestration of both receptors in normal culture. By blocking Ab and small interfering RNA, we evidenced that BDNF production and its survival function are depending on sortilin, a protein regulating neurotrophin transport in neurons, which was not previously described in B cells. Therefore, in mature B cell lines, an autocrine BDNF production is up-regulated by stress culture conditions and exerts a modulation of apoptosis through the sortilin pathway. This could be of importance to elucidate certain drug resistances of malignant B cells," wrote A.L. Fauchais and colleagues, University of Limoges (see also Life Sciences).

The researchers concluded: "In addition, primary B lymphocytes contained sortilin and produced BDNF after mitogenic activation, which suggests that sortilin and BDNF might be implicated in the survival and activation of normal B cells also."

Fauchais and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Immunology (Role of endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor and sortilin in B cell survival. Journal of Immunology, 2008;181(5):3027-3038).

For additional information, contact M.O. Jauberteau, University of Limoges, Dept. of Immunology, EA 3842, 2 Avenue Doctor Mareland, F-87025 Limoges, France.

The publisher's contact information for the Journal of Immunology is: American Association Immunologists, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.

Keywords: France, Limoges, Life Sciences, Myeloma, Enzyme Research, Kinase, Immunology, University of Limoges.

This article was prepared by Blood Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Blood Weekly via NewsRx.com.