Transcriptional profiling of SUDHL4 cells stimulated with megaCD40L and IgM/G for 24 hours

The transcription factor FOXO1 directs germinal center (GC) polarity and supports affinity maturation by silencing immune activation programs in GC B cells. Recurrent somatic mutations in GC-derived B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL) often target and reportedly activate FOXO1 by preventing its negative regulation by PI3K. Herein, using ad hoc mouse models, engineered cell lines and primary tumor specimens, we show instead that FOXO1 mutant proteins display altered transcriptional activities suggestive of partial loss-of-function. These defects drive simultaneous hyperactivation of signaling pathways (Stress Activated Protein Kinase -SAPK/JNK, Phosphoinositide 3-kinase -PI3K/AKT) and gene expression programs typically activated in GC B cells upon positive selection. Such changes confer mutant B cells with competitive advantages in response to key immune signals, leading to abnormal amplification of GC responses. Evidence of these FOXO1 ‘mutant’ gene programs can be found in a fraction of human B-NHL and predict clinical outcome, thus implying the frequent co-option of positive selection programs during GC-derived B-NHL pathogenesis. SUDHL4 cells were subjected to combined stimulation with megaCD40L and IgM/G for 24 hours in culture at 37C, 5% CO2