DOCK2 couples with LEF-1 to regulate B cell metabolism and memory response

Abstract Dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2) is essential for the B cell differentiation, BCR signaling and humoral immune response. However, the role of DOCK2 in the memory response of B cell is unknown. By using two DOCK2 deficient patients, we found that the memory B cells were decreased and the early activation of DOCK2 deficient memory B cells was abolished to the degree of naive B cells due to the decreased expression of CD19 and CD21 mechanistically. Interestingly the expression of LEF-1, a negative regulator of CD21, was increased in DOCK2 deficient B cells. This was linked to the increased expression of HIF-1α and cell metabolism, which in turn affected the ER structure. Finally, the reduction of memory B cells in DOCK2 patients was due to the increased apoptosis, which might be related with the increased metabolism.