Stepwise reprogramming of B cells into macrophages

Cell. 2004 May 28;117(5):663-76. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(04)00419-2.

Abstract

Starting with multipotent progenitors, hematopoietic lineages are specified by lineage-restricted transcription factors. The transcription factors that determine the decision between lymphoid and myeloid cell fates, and the underlying mechanisms, remain largely unknown. Here, we report that enforced expression of C/EBPalpha and C/EBPbeta in differentiated B cells leads to their rapid and efficient reprogramming into macrophages. C/EBPs induce these changes by inhibiting the B cell commitment transcription factor Pax5, leading to the downregulation of its target CD19, and synergizing with endogenous PU.1, an ETS family factor, leading to the upregulation of its target Mac-1 and other myeloid markers. The two processes can be uncoupled, since, in PU.1-deficient pre-B cells, C/EBPs induce CD19 downregulation but not Mac-1 activation. Our observations indicate that C/EBPalpha and beta remodel the transcription network of B cells into that of macrophages through a series of parallel and sequential changes that require endogenous PU.1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD19 / genetics
  • Antigens, CD19 / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Gene Rearrangement
  • Genes, Immunoglobulin
  • Hodgkin Disease / etiology
  • Humans
  • Macrophage-1 Antigen / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • PAX5 Transcription Factor
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Macrophage-1 Antigen
  • PAX5 Transcription Factor
  • PAX5 protein, human
  • Pax5 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • proto-oncogene protein Spi-1