Essential Immunoregulatory Role for BCAP in B Cell Development and Function

BCAP was recently cloned as a binding molecule to phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). To investigate the role of BCAP, mutant mice deficient in BCAP were generated. While BCAP-deficient mice are viable, they have decreased numbers of mature B cells and B1 B cell deficiency. The mice produce lower titers of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG3, and mount attenuated responses to T cell--independent type II antigen. Upon B cell receptor cross-linking, BCAP-deficient B cells exhibit reduced Ca(2+) mobilization and poor proliferative responses. These findings demonstrate that BCAP plays a pivotal immunoregulatory role in B cell development and humoral immune responses.