A critical role of TAK1 in B-cell receptor–mediated nuclear factor κB activation

Abstract

The kinase TAK1 is essential for T-cell receptor (TCR)–mediated nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation and T-cell development. However, the role of TAK1 in B-cell receptor (BCR)–mediated NF-κB activation and B-cell development is not clear. Here we show that B-cell–specific deletion of TAK1 impaired the transition from transitional type 2 to mature follicular (FO) B cells and caused a marked decrease of marginal zone (MZ) B cells. TAK1-deficient B cells exhibited an increase of BCR-induced apoptosis and impaired proliferation in response to BCR ligation. Importantly, TAK1-deficient B cells failed to activate NF-κB after BCR stimulation. Thus, TAK1 is critical for B-cell maturation and BCR-induced NF-κB activation.