Human CD38 regulates B cell antigen receptor dynamic organization in normal and malignant B cells

CD38 is a multifunctional protein expressed on the surface of B cells in healthy individuals but also in B cell malignancies. Previous studies have suggested a connection between CD38 and components of the IgM class B cell antigen receptor (IgM-BCR) and its coreceptor complex. Here, we provide evidence that CD38 is closely associated with CD19 in resting B cells and with the IgM-BCR upon engagement. We show that targeting CD38 with an antibody, or removing this molecule with CRISPR/Cas9, inhibits the association of CD19 with the IgM-BCR, impairing BCR signaling in normal and malignant B cells. Together, our data suggest that CD38 is a new member of the BCR coreceptor complex, where it exerts a modulatory effect on B cell activation upon antigen recognition by regulating CD19. Our study also reveals a new mechanism where alpha-CD38 antibodies could be a valuable option in therapeutic approaches to B cell malignancies driven by aberrant BCR signaling. This study shows that CD38 is a new member of the IgM-BCR coreceptor; it associates with CD19 in unstimulated B cells and with CD19 and IgM after BCR stimulation. Targeting CD38 with an antibody impairs B cell proliferation and survival, and formation of IgM:CD19 synapses.