Inductive expression of BiP mutants and the relationship with UPR activation in human B lymphocytes

• Grant number: 11/04826-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2011
• End date: February 28, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Maristela Martins de Camargo
• Grantee: Fernanda Marques Câmara Sodré
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

During terminal differentiation of B lymphocytes into plasma cells, the latter cells demand for increased levels of immunoglobulin synthesis. To accommodate the immunoglobulin overload, an expansion of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) occurs. This causes stress in the ER, activating an intracellular signaling pathway named Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), pathway of which BiP is part of it. The current work aims to study the role of BiP in this pathway by looking into the involvement of BiP in the defective activation of UPR found in a patient with CVID (Common variable immunodeficiency). (AU)