RNA-sequencing data-driven dissection of human plasma cell differentiation reveals new potential transcription regulators.

TitleRNA-sequencing data-driven dissection of human plasma cell differentiation reveals new potential transcription regulators.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsKassambara A, Herviou L, Ovejero S, Jourdan M, Thibaut C, Vikova V, Pasero P, Elemento O, Moreaux J
JournalLeukemia
Volume35
Issue5
Pagination1451-1462
Date Published2021 05
ISSN1476-5551
KeywordsCell Differentiation, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Proliferation, Down-Regulation, Gene Expression Regulation, Glutathione, Heme, Humans, Plasma Cells, RNA, Sequence Analysis, RNA, Transcription Factors, Transcription, Genetic, Up-Regulation
Abstract

Plasma cells (PCs) play an important role in the adaptive immune system through a continuous production of antibodies. We have demonstrated that PC differentiation can be modeled in vitro using complex multistep culture systems reproducing sequential differentiation process occurring in vivo. Here we present a comprehensive, temporal program of gene expression data encompassing human PC differentiation (PCD) using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Our results reveal 6374 differentially expressed genes classified into four temporal gene expression patterns. A stringent pathway enrichment analysis of these gene clusters highlights known pathways but also pathways largely unknown in PCD, including the heme biosynthesis and the glutathione conjugation pathways. Additionally, our analysis revealed numerous novel transcriptional networks with significant stage-specific overexpression and potential importance in PCD, including BATF2, BHLHA15/MIST1, EZH2, WHSC1/MMSET, and BLM. We have experimentally validated a potent role for BLM in regulating cell survival and proliferation during human PCD. Taken together, this RNA-seq analysis of PCD temporal stages helped identify coexpressed gene modules with associated up/downregulated transcription regulator genes that could represent major regulatory nodes for human PC maturation. These data constitute a unique resource of human PCD gene expression programs in support of future studies for understanding the underlying mechanisms that control PCD.

DOI10.1038/s41375-021-01234-0
Alternate JournalLeukemia
PubMed ID33824465
PubMed Central IDPMC8102200