Differential requirement of MALT1 for BAFF-induced outcomes in B cell subsets

B cell activation factor of the TNF family (BAFF) activates noncanonical nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) heterodimers that promote B cell survival. We show that although MALT1 is largely dispensable for canonical NF-κB signaling downstream of the B cell receptor, the absence of MALT1 results in impaired BAFF-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB2 (p100), p100 degradation, and RelB nuclear translocation in B220+ B cells. This corresponds with impaired survival of MALT1−/− marginal zone (MZ) but not follicular B cells in response to BAFF stimulation in vitro. MALT1−/− MZ B cells also express higher amounts of TRAF3, a known negative regulator of BAFF receptor–mediated signaling, and TRAF3 was found to interact with MALT1. Furthermore, phenotypes associated with overexpression of BAFF, including increased MZ B cell numbers, elevated serum immunoglobulin titers, and spontaneous germinal center formation, were found to be dependent on B cell–intrinsic MALT1 expression. Our results demonstrate a novel role for MALT1 in biological outcomes induced by BAFF-mediated signal transduction

Asia-Facific Economic Cooperation.(APEC)

xiv, 226 hlm.; 22 x 14 c

Asia-Pasific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

xiv,226 hlm.;23 c

Inter- and transregionalism: remarks on the state of the art of a new research agenda

[Conclusion] Despite a growing number of studies on inter- and transregional fora, a reasonably precise assessment of their contribution to global governance is still elusive. Most of the functions attached to inter- and transregional fora are still theoretically deduced and lack sound empirical evidence. Further empirical research must particularly focus on the interaction between inter- and transregional fora with global fora: the mechanisms of interaction, the topics discussed, the modes of decision-making and the reliability of non-binding agreements incurred at these interaction levels

The European Union as an inter- and transregional actor: lessons for global governance from Europe's relations with Asia

Conclusion: The lessons to be learnt from Europe’s inter- and transregional cooperation with Asia may thus be summarized as follows: First, more than any other regional organization – perhaps with the exception of ASEAN – the EU has played an active role in establishing a novel level in international policy-making. Second, more than anything else, the EU’s involvement in inter- and transregional fora is marked by balancing. This had, third, repercussions on densifiying international institutions. The dominance of balancing and an unfavorable opportunity-governance cost ratio explain why institutionalizing is based on "soft law" and "soft institutions"; rationalizing, agenda-setting and crisis management performances are less than satisfactory. Fourth and last, the shortcomings of inter- and transregional fora notwithstanding, it would be too pessimistic to conclude with Wolfgang Reinecke that "the current state of global governance resembles at best a loose set of crossnational policy patchworks, conspicuous for their missing links and unnecessary overlaps". Inter- and transregional dialogues established by and with the EU definitely have the potential to become important intermediaries of a multilayered system of global governance with global institutions, regional organizations and the nation states as nodal points