Molecular mechanisms of B Lymphocyte differentiation and activation

Antibodies produced B cells are key mediators of immunity that protect us from pathogenic micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses. The production of high affinity antibodies is central to immunity and the principle of vaccination. However, self-reactive antibodies are common in human autoimmune diseases. Therapies that deplete B cells are proving successful in common but crippling diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cancers of B cell origin comprise the majority of lymphoid malignancies and many B cell malignancies remain incurable. Thus the study of B lymphocytes in health and disease is directly relevant to our attempts to improve vaccine design; to develop new treatments for autoimmune disease; and to develop therapies to combat B cell malignancies. The objective of reducing morbidity and mortality associated with diseases where B cell play a role requires a fuller understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate B cell activation and differentiation. This project seeks to uncover mechanisms that control the development and function of B cells. The project proposes to test the hypothesis that the activity of key genes required for B cell differentiation are regulated by a novel mechanism acting on the messenger RNA. If correct, it will change the way we think about B cell differentiation.