B cell
development in the bone marrow is highly complex and includes vital regulatory
checkpoints to maintain central tolerance. Defects in central
tolerance are implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and aberrant
B cell development has been reported in NZB/W mice.
We hypothesized
that altered B cell development in the bone marrow of lupus-prone NZB/W mice
would be corrected after HDAC6 inhibition. B cell development was evaluated by
flow cytometric analysis of Hardy fractions from bone marrow cells of NZB/W
mice treated with an HDAC6 inhibitor or vehicle control.
Additionally,
deep sequence analysis of RNA from the bone marrow was utilized to identify
potential targets of HDAC6. As NZB/W mice aged, there was an apparent shift in
later stages of B cell development suggesting accelerated progression through
maturation and potential to bypass key regulatory checkpoints.