Increased proliferation of B cells and auto-immunity in mice lacking protein kinase Cδ

Protein kinase C (PKC), which comprises 11 closely related isoforms, has been implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes, such as growth, differentiation, secretion, apoptosis and tumour development(1-4). Among the PKC isotypes, PKC-delta is unique in that its overexpression results in inhibition of cell growth(5-11). Here we show that mice that lack PKC-delta exhibit expansion of the B-lymphocyte population with the formation of numerous germinal centres in the absence of stimulation. The rate of proliferation in response to stimulation was greater for B cells from PKC-delta-deficient mice than for those from wild-type mice. Adoptive transfer experiments suggested that the hyperproliferation phenotype is B-cell autonomous. Production of interleukin-6 was markedly increased in B cells of PKC-delta-null mice as a result of an increase in the DNA-binding activity of NF-IL6. Furthermore, the PKC-delta-deficient mice contain circulating autoreactive antibodies and display immune-complex-type glomerulonephritis, as well as lymphocyte infiltration in many organs. These results suggest that PKC-delta has an indispensable function in negative regulation of B-cell proliferation, and is particularly important for the establishment of B-cell tolerance.