Immunoglobulin (Ig) class switch recombination (CSR) is a process by which B cells exchange the constant domain of the Ig heavy chain for the optimal clearance of pathogens. This unique DNA recombination is directed by kilobase- long switch regions and requires B cell-specific factor activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) as well as other ubiquitously expressed DNA repair factors. It is known that CSR is initiated by AID-catalyzed cytidine deamination resulting in uracils in the switch regions. However, the mechanism by which switch region directs AID actions in-cis and the interplays of uracil repair pathways that ultimately lead to DNA double strand breaks remain poorly defined. The objectives of this application are to identify cis-acting DNA sequences in the switch region and trans-acting protein factors that are responsible for targeted DNA cleavage at defined genomic loci during class switch recombination. We have developed a cell-based class switch assay for studying the function of switch region sequences at the endogenous chromosomal locus. This assay was based on our recent success in highly efficient gene targeting in CH12F3 cells, a mouse B cell line capable of robust cytokine-induced CSR in vitro. We have designed an efficient knock-in strategy to allow assessment of a large number of switch region mutations. Highly efficient gene targeting in CH12F3 cells also allows study of gene function by the reverse genetic approaches in a cellular model for CSR. We are now in position to address several important yet unanswered questions previously difficult to address in animal models. We propose three specific aims: (1) Identify short sequence motifs required for class switch recombination;(2) Identify long sequence organizations required for class switch recombination;(3) Identify the DNA cleavage activity at switch regions. The completion of this project will lead to a more complete understanding of the function of switch region sequences and the identification of the nucleases involved in DNA cleavage in CSR. These findings will provide mechanistic insight to a variety of human diseases involving class switch recombination.

Public Health Relevance

This proposed project focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanism of class switch recombination, a process by which the B cell changes the isotype of the antibody for optimal elimination of pathogens. Understanding the mechanism of class switch recombination is important for biological reasons (a unique regional- specific DNA recombination), immunological reasons (infection, allergy and autoimmunity) and its cancer-relevance (oncogenic chromosomal translocations in a variety of B cell lymphomas).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI081817-04
Application #
8306980
Study Section
Cellular and Molecular Immunology - A Study Section (CMIA)
Program Officer
Nasseri, M Faraz
Project Start
2009-08-07
Project End
2014-07-31
Budget Start
2012-08-01
Budget End
2013-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$297,950
Indirect Cost
$101,930
Name
Michigan State University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
193247145
City
East Lansing
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48824
Zhang, Zheng Z; Pannunzio, Nicholas R; Lu, Zhengfei et al. (2015) The repetitive portion of the Xenopus IgH Mu switch region mediates orientation-dependent class switch recombination. Mol Immunol 67:524-31
Zhang, Zheng Z; Hsieh, Chih-Lin; Okitsu, Cindy Yen et al. (2015) Effect of CpG dinucleotides within IgH switch region repeats on immunoglobulin class switch recombination. Mol Immunol 66:284-9
Han, Li; Masani, Shahnaz; Hsieh, Chih-Lin et al. (2014) DNA ligase I is not essential for mammalian cell viability. Cell Rep 7:316-320
Masani, Shahnaz; Han, Li; Yu, Kefei (2013) Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 is the essential nuclease during immunoglobulin class switch recombination. Mol Cell Biol 33:1468-73
Pei, Huadong; Wu, Xiaosheng; Liu, Tongzheng et al. (2013) The histone methyltransferase MMSET regulates class switch recombination. J Immunol 190:756-63
Han, Li; Mao, Weifeng; Yu, Kefei (2012) X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1 (XRCC1) deficiency enhances class switch recombination and is permissive for alternative end joining. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:4604-8
Han, Li; Masani, Shahnaz; Yu, Kefei (2011) Overlapping activation-induced cytidine deaminase hotspot motifs in Ig class-switch recombination. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108:11584-9
Han, Li; Masani, Shahnaz; Yu, Kefei (2010) Cutting edge: CTNNBL1 is dispensable for Ig class switch recombination. J Immunol 185:1379-81