DYRK1a mediates BAFF-induced noncanonical NF-kappa B activation to promote autoimmunity and B-cell leukemogenesis

B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) mediates B-cell survival and, when deregulated, contributes to autoimmune diseases and B-cell malignancies. The mechanism connecting BAFF receptor (BAFFR) signal to downstream pathways and pathophysiological functions is not well understood. Here we identified DYRK1a as a kinase that responds to BAFF stimulation and mediates BAFF-induced B-cell survival. B-cell-specific DYRK1a deficiency causes peripheral B-cell reduction and ameliorates autoimmunity in a mouse model of lupus. An unbiased screen identified DYRK1a as a protein that interacts with TRAF3, a ubiquitin ligase component mediating degradation of the noncanonical nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B-inducing kinase (NIK). DYRK1a phosphorylates TRAF3 at serine-29 to interfere with its function in mediating NIK degradation, thereby facilitating BAFF-induced NIK accumulation and noncanonical NF-kappa B activation. Interestingly, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cells express high levels of BAFFR and respond to BAFF for noncanonical NF-kappa B activation and survival in a DYRK1a-dependent manner. Furthermore, DYRK1a promotes a mouse model of B-ALL through activation of the noncanonical NF-kappa B pathway. These results establish DYRK1a as a critical BAFFR signaling mediator and provide novel insight into B-ALL pathogenesis.