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Boneparth A, Woods M, Huang W, Akerman M, Lesser M, Davidson A. The Effect of BAFF Inhibition on Autoreactive B-Cell Selection in Murine Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Mol Med 2016; 22:173-182. [PMID: 26882090 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2016.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of this study was to determine how B-cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) availability influences selection of the autoreactive B-cell repertoire in NZB/W and NZW/BXSB lupus-prone mice bearing the site-directed heavy-chain transgene 3H9 that encodes for anti-dsDNA and anti-cardiolipin (CL) autoantibodies. We used a bone marrow chimera system in which autoreactive 3H9 transgenic B cells were allowed to mature in competition with wild-type cells and could be identified by green fluorescent protein. The light-chain repertoire associated with the 3H9 heavy chain in naive and antigen-activated B-cell subsets was assessed using single-cell polymerase chain reaction. We found that deletion of autoreactive transgenic B cells occurred in the bone marrow of both strains regardless of BAFF availability, and there were only modest and physiologically non-relevant effects on the naive B-cell repertoire. BAFF inhibition had different effects on selection of the germinal center repertoire in the two strains. In the NZW/BXSB strain, BAFF inhibition phenocopied the loss of one TLR7 allele in that it influenced the selection of 3H9-encoded autoreactive B cells in the germinal center but did not prevent somatic mutation. In the NZB/W strain, BAFF inhibition did not alter the selection of 3H9-encoded B cells in the germinal center, but it influenced selection of a subset of germinal center cells into the plasma cell compartment. Our data underscore the complexity of regulation of the autoreactive B-cell repertoire by BAFF and may help to explain the heterogeneity of responses observed after BAFF inhibition in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Boneparth
- Center for Autoimmunity, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| | - Megan Woods
- Center for Autoimmunity, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| | - Weiqing Huang
- Center for Autoimmunity, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| | - Meredith Akerman
- Musculoskeletal Diseases and Biostatistics Unit, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| | - Martin Lesser
- Musculoskeletal Diseases and Biostatistics Unit, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| | - Anne Davidson
- Center for Autoimmunity, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
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Increased expression of Toll-like receptors 7 and 9 in myasthenia gravis thymus characterized by active Epstein-Barr virus infection. Immunobiology 2015; 221:516-27. [PMID: 26723518 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Considerable data implicate the thymus as the main site of autosensitization to the acetylcholine receptor in myasthenia gravis (MG), a B-cell-mediated autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular junction. We recently demonstrated an active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in the thymus of MG patients, suggesting that EBV might contribute to the onset or maintenance of the autoimmune response within MG thymus, because of its ability to activate and immortalize autoreactive B cells. EBV has been reported to elicit and modulate Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7- and TLR9-mediated innate immune responses, which are known to favor B-cell dysfunction and autoimmunity. Aim of this study was to investigate whether EBV infection is associated with altered expression of TLR7 and TLR9 in MG thymus. By real-time PCR, we found that TLR7 and TLR9 mRNA levels were significantly higher in EBV-positive MG compared to EBV-negative normal thymuses. By confocal microscopy, high expression levels of TLR7 and TLR9 proteins were observed in B cells and plasma cells of MG thymic germinal centers (GCs) and lymphoid infiltrates, where the two receptors co-localized with EBV antigens. An increased frequency of Ki67-positive proliferating B cells was found in MG thymuses, where we also detected proliferating cells expressing TLR7, TLR9 and EBV antigens, thus supporting the idea that EBV-associated TLR7/9 signaling may promote abnormal B-cell activation and proliferation. Along with B cells and plasma cells, thymic epithelium, plasmacytoid dendritic cells and macrophages exhibited enhanced TLR7 and TLR9 expression in MG thymus; TLR7 was also increased in thymic myeloid dendritic cells and its transcriptional levels positively correlated with those of interferon (IFN)-β. We suggested that TLR7/9 signaling may be involved in antiviral type I IFN production and long-term inflammation in EBV-infected MG thymuses. Our overall findings indicate that EBV-driven TLR7- and TLR9-mediated innate immune responses may participate in the intra-thymic pathogenesis of MG.
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103
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Jones SA, Toh AEJ, Odobasic D, Oudin MAV, Cheng Q, Lee JPW, White SJ, Russ BE, Infantino S, Light A, Tarlinton DM, Harris J, Morand EF. Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) inhibits B cell activation in systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Rheum Dis 2015; 75:739-47. [PMID: 26612340 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-207744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a serious multisystem autoimmune disease, mediated by disrupted B cell quiescence and typically treated with glucocorticoids. We studied whether B cells in SLE are regulated by the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) protein, an endogenous mediator of anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids. METHODS We conducted a study of GILZ expression in blood mononuclear cells of patients with SLE, performed in vitro analyses of GILZ function in mouse and human B cells, assessed the contributions of GILZ to autoimmunity in mice, and used the nitrophenol coupled to keyhole limpet haemocyanin model of immunisation in mice. RESULTS Reduced B cell GILZ was observed in patients with SLE and lupus-prone mice, and impaired induction of GILZ in patients with SLE receiving glucocorticoids was associated with increased disease activity. GILZ was downregulated in naïve B cells upon stimulation in vitro and in germinal centre B cells, which contained less enrichment of H3K4me3 at the GILZ promoter compared with naïve and memory B cells. Mice lacking GILZ spontaneously developed lupus-like autoimmunity, and GILZ deficiency resulted in excessive B cell responses to T-dependent stimulation. Accordingly, loss of GILZ in naïve B cells allowed upregulation of multiple genes that promote the germinal centre B cell phenotype, including lupus susceptibility genes and genes involved in cell survival and proliferation. Finally, treatment of human B cells with a cell-permeable GILZ fusion protein potently suppressed their responsiveness to T-dependent stimuli. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated that GILZ is a non-redundant regulator of B cell activity, with important potential clinical implications in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Jones
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew E J Toh
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dragana Odobasic
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marie-Anne Virginie Oudin
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Qiang Cheng
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jacinta P W Lee
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stefan J White
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden Genome Technology Center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Brendan E Russ
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Doherty Institute at The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simona Infantino
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amanda Light
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David M Tarlinton
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - James Harris
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eric F Morand
- Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
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104
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B cells biology in systemic lupus erythematosus—from bench to bedside. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2015; 58:1111-25. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-015-4953-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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105
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Celhar T, Hopkins R, Thornhill SI, De Magalhaes R, Hwang SH, Lee HY, Yasuga H, Jones LA, Casco J, Lee B, Thamboo TP, Zhou XJ, Poidinger M, Connolly JE, Wakeland EK, Fairhurst AM. RNA sensing by conventional dendritic cells is central to the development of lupus nephritis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E6195-204. [PMID: 26512111 PMCID: PMC4653170 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1507052112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Glomerulonephritis is a common and debilitating feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The precise immune mechanisms that drive the progression from benign autoimmunity to glomerulonephritis are largely unknown. Previous investigations have shown that a moderate increase of the innate Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is sufficient for the development of nephritis. In these systems normalization of B-cell TLR7 expression or temporal depletion of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) slow progression; however, the critical cell that is responsible for driving full immunopathology remains unidentified. In this investigation we have shown that conventional DC expression of TLR7 is essential for severe autoimmunity in the Sle1Tg7 model of SLE. We show that a novel expanding CD11b(+) conventional DC subpopulation dominates the infiltrating renal inflammatory milieu, localizing to the glomeruli. Moreover, exposure of human myeloid DCs to IFN-α or Flu increases TLR7 expression, suggesting they may have a role in self-RNA recognition pathways in clinical disease. To our knowledge, this study is the first to highlight the importance of conventional DC-TLR7 expression for kidney pathogenesis in a murine model of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teja Celhar
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 138648 Singapore
| | - Richard Hopkins
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 138673 Singapore
| | | | | | - Sun-Hee Hwang
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9093
| | - Hui-Yin Lee
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 138648 Singapore
| | - Hiroko Yasuga
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 138648 Singapore; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551 Singapore
| | - Leigh A Jones
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 138648 Singapore; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 138673 Singapore
| | - Jose Casco
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9093
| | - Bernett Lee
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 138648 Singapore
| | - Thomas P Thamboo
- Department of Pathology, National University Hospital, 119074 Singapore
| | - Xin J Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246
| | | | - John E Connolly
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, 138673 Singapore; Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX76798
| | - Edward K Wakeland
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9093
| | - Anna-Marie Fairhurst
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, 138648 Singapore; Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9093; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551 Singapore;
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106
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Huang X, Dorta-Estremera S, Yao Y, Shen N, Cao W. Predominant Role of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Stimulating Systemic Autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2015; 6:526. [PMID: 26528288 PMCID: PMC4601279 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which are prominent type I interferon (IFN-I)-producing immune cells, have been extensively implicated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, whether they participate critically in lupus pathogenesis remains unknown. Recent studies using various genetic and cell type-specific ablation strategies have demonstrated that pDCs play a pivotal role in the development of autoantibodies and the progression of lupus under diverse experimental conditions. The findings of several investigations highlight a notion that pDCs operate critically at the early stage of lupus development. In particular, pDCs have a profound effect on B-cell activation and humoral autoimmunity in vivo. This deeper understanding of the vital role of pDCs in lupus pathogenesis supports the therapeutic targeting of the pDC-IFN-I pathway in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinfang Huang
- Shanghai Institute of Rheumatology, Shanghai Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China ; Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA
| | - Stephanie Dorta-Estremera
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA ; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences , Houston, TX , USA
| | - Yihong Yao
- Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. , Palo Alto, CA , USA
| | - Nan Shen
- Shanghai Institute of Rheumatology, Shanghai Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China
| | - Wei Cao
- Shanghai Institute of Rheumatology, Shanghai Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China ; Department of Immunology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA ; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences , Houston, TX , USA
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107
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Traks T, Keermann M, Karelson M, Rätsep R, Reimann E, Silm H, Vasar E, Kõks S, Kingo K. Polymorphisms in Toll-like receptor genes are associated with vitiligo. Front Genet 2015; 6:278. [PMID: 26442097 PMCID: PMC4563240 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The members of Toll-like receptor (TLR) family are responsible for recognizing various molecular patterns associated with pathogens. Their expression is not confined to immune cells and have been detected in skin cells such as keratinocytes and melanocytes. As part of a generated response to pathogens, TLRs are involved in inducing inflammatory mediators to combat these threats. It is therefore not surprising that TLRs have been implicated in inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Likewise, as key players in autoimmunity, they have been associated with a number of autoimmune diseases. Based on this, the role of TLRs in vitiligo could be suspected, but is yet to be clearly established. Methods: In order to conduct a genetic association analysis, 30 SNPs were selected from TLR1-TLR8 and TLR10 regions to be genotyped in Estonian case-control cohort consisting of 139 vitiligo patients and 307 healthy control individuals. The patients were further analyzed in subgroups based on sex, age of onset, occurrence of vitiligo among relatives, extent of depigmented areas, vitiligo progression activity, appearance of Köbner's phenomenon, existence of halo naevi, and incidence of spontaneous repigmentation. Results: The most notable finding came with SNP rs179020 situated in TLR7 gene, that was associated in entire vitiligo (Padj = 0.0065) and also several subgroup analyses. Other single marker and haplotype analyses pointed to TLR3, TLR4, and TLR10 genes. Conclusions: This study investigated the genetic regions of nine TLR genes in relation to vitiligo susceptibility. The main results were the associations of TLR7 SNPs with vitiligo, while several other associations were obtained from the remaining TLR gene regions. This suggests that in addition to other inflammatory skin diseases, TLRs affect the development of vitiligo, thus making them interesting targets for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanel Traks
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maris Keermann
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Clinic of Dermatology, Tartu University Hospital Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maire Karelson
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Clinic of Dermatology, Tartu University Hospital Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ranno Rätsep
- Department of Physiology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ene Reimann
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Department of Reproductive Biology, Estonian University of Life Sciences Tartu, Estonia
| | - Helgi Silm
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Clinic of Dermatology, Tartu University Hospital Tartu, Estonia
| | - Eero Vasar
- Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Department of Physiology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sulev Kõks
- Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Department of Pathophysiology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Department of Reproductive Biology, Estonian University of Life Sciences Tartu, Estonia
| | - Külli Kingo
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tartu Tartu, Estonia ; Clinic of Dermatology, Tartu University Hospital Tartu, Estonia
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108
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McDonald G, Cabal N, Vannier A, Umiker B, Yin RH, Orjalo AV, Johansson HE, Han JH, Imanishi-Kari T. Female Bias in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is Associated with the Differential Expression of X-Linked Toll-Like Receptor 8. Front Immunol 2015; 6:457. [PMID: 26441962 PMCID: PMC4561825 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the production of anti-nuclear antibodies. SLE is one of many autoimmune disorders that have a strong gender bias, with 70–90% of SLE patients being female. Several explanations have been postulated to account for the severity of autoimmune diseases in females, including hormonal, microbiota, and gene dosage differences. X-linked toll-like receptors (TLRs) have recently been implicated in disease progression in females. Our previous studies using the 564Igi mouse model of SLE on a Tlr7 and Tlr9 double knockout background showed that the presence of Tlr8 on both X chromosomes was required for the production of IgG autoantibodies, Ifn-I expression and granulopoiesis in females. Here, we show the results of our investigation into the role of Tlr8 expression in SLE pathogenesis in 564Igi females. Female mice have an increase in serum pathogenic anti-RNA IgG2a and IgG2b autoantibodies. 564Igi mice have also been shown to have an increase in neutrophils in vivo, which are major contributors to Ifn-α expression. Here, we show that neutrophils from C57BL/6 mice express Ifn-α in response to 564 immune complexes and TLR8 activation. Bone marrow-derived macrophages from 564Igi females have a significant increase in Tlr8 expression compared to male-derived cells, and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization data suggest that Tlr8 may escape X-inactivation in female-derived macrophages. These results propose a model by which females may be more susceptible to SLE pathogenesis due to inefficient inactivation of Tlr8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle McDonald
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Nicholas Cabal
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Augustin Vannier
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Benjamin Umiker
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University , Boston, MA , USA
| | | | | | | | - Jin-Hwan Han
- Merck Research Laboratories , Palo Alto, CA , USA
| | - Thereza Imanishi-Kari
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University , Boston, MA , USA
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109
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Williams JM, Bonami RH, Hulbert C, Thomas JW. Reversing Tolerance in Isotype Switch-Competent Anti-Insulin B Lymphocytes. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2015; 195:853-64. [PMID: 26109644 PMCID: PMC4506889 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1403114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Autoreactive B lymphocytes that escape central tolerance and mature in the periphery are a liability for developing autoimmunity. IgG insulin autoantibodies that predict type 1 diabetes and complicate insulin therapies indicate that mechanisms for tolerance to insulin are flawed. To examine peripheral tolerance in anti-insulin B cells, we generated C57BL/6 mice that harbor anti-insulin VDJH-125 site directed to the native IgH locus (VH125(SD)). Class switch-competent anti-insulin B cells fail to produce IgG Abs following T cell-dependent immunization of VH125(SD) mice with heterologous insulin, and they exhibit markedly impaired proliferation to anti-CD40 plus insulin in vitro. In contrast, costimulation with LPS plus insulin drives robust anti-insulin B cell proliferation. Furthermore, VH125(SD) mice produce both IgM and IgG2a anti-insulin Abs following immunization with insulin conjugated to type 1 T cell-independent Brucella abortus ring test Ag (BRT). Anti-insulin B cells undergo clonal expansion in vivo and emerge as IgM(+) and IgM(-) GL7(+)Fas(+) germinal center (GC) B cells following immunization with insulin-BRT, but not BRT alone. Analysis of Igκ genes in VH125(SD) mice immunized with insulin-BRT reveals that anti-insulin Vκ from the preimmune repertoire is selected into GCs. These data demonstrate that class switch-competent anti-insulin B cells remain functionally silent in T cell-dependent immune responses, yet these B cells are vulnerable to reversal of anergy following combined BCR/TLR engagement that promotes Ag-specific GC responses and Ab production. Environmental factors that lead to infection and inflammation could play a critical yet underappreciated role in driving loss of tolerance and promoting autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Williams
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232; and Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Rachel H Bonami
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Chrys Hulbert
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - James W Thomas
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232; and Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
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110
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Soni C, Domeier PP, Wong EB, Shwetank, Khan TN, Elias MJ, Schell SL, Lukacher AE, Cooper TK, Rahman ZSM. Distinct and synergistic roles of FcγRIIB deficiency and 129 strain-derived SLAM family proteins in the development of spontaneous germinal centers and autoimmunity. J Autoimmun 2015; 63:31-46. [PMID: 26162758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The inhibitory IgG Fc receptor (FcγRIIB) deficiency and 129 strain-derived signaling lymphocyte activation molecules (129-SLAMs) are proposed to contribute to the lupus phenotype in FcγRIIB-deficient mice generated using 129 ES cells and backcrossed to C57BL/6 mice (B6.129.RIIBKO). In this study, we examine the individual contributions and the cellular mechanisms by which FcγRIIB deficiency and 129-derived SLAM family genes promote dysregulated spontaneous germinal center (Spt-GC) B cell and follicular helper T cell (Tfh) responses in B6.129.RIIBKO mice. We find that B6 mice congenic for the 129-derived SLAM locus (B6.129-SLAM) and B6 mice deficient in FcγRIIB (B6.RIIBKO) have increased Spt-GC B cell responses compared to B6 controls but significantly lower than B6.129.RIIBKO mice. These data indicate that both FcγRIIB deficiency and 129-SLAMs contribute to elevated Spt-GC B cell responses in B6.129.RIIBKO mice. However, only 129-SLAMs contribute significantly to augmented Tfh responses in B6.129.RIIBKO mice, and do so by a combination of T cell-dependent effects and enhanced B cell and DC-dependent antigen presentation to T cells. Elevated Spt-GC B cell responses in mice with FcγRIIB deficiency and polymorphic 129-SLAMs were associated with elevated metabolic activity, improved GC B cell survival and increased differentiation of naïve B cells into GC B cell phenotype. Our data suggest that the interplay between 129-SLAM expression on B cells, T cells and DCs is central to the alteration of the GC tolerance checkpoint, and that deficiency of FcγRIIB on B cells is necessary to augment Spt-GC responses, pathogenic autoantibodies, and lupus disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetna Soni
- Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Phillip P Domeier
- Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Eric B Wong
- Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Shwetank
- Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Tahsin N Khan
- Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Melinda J Elias
- Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Stephanie L Schell
- Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Aron E Lukacher
- Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Timothy K Cooper
- Departments of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
| | - Ziaur S M Rahman
- Microbiology and Immunology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA.
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111
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Activation of TLR7 increases CCND3 expression via the downregulation of miR-15b in B cells of systemic lupus erythematosus. Cell Mol Immunol 2015; 13:764-775. [PMID: 26144250 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2015.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by B-cell hyperreactivity. The Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) signaling pathway is abnormally activated in SLE B cells. CyclinD3 (CCND3) plays an important role in B-cell proliferation, development, and differentiation. Although previous studies focused on the B cell-intrinsic role of TLR7 for the development of spontaneous germinal centers, the influence of TLR7 on CCND3 in SLE B cells is still not clear. Here, we used a B-cell profiling chip and found that CCND3 was related to SLE and significantly elevated in SLE B cells. Moreover, we determined that the expression level of CCND3 was higher, while miR-15b was significantly lower in the B cells from SLE patients and B6.MRL-Faslpr/J lupus mice compared to normal subjects. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the activation of TLR7 dramatically increased CCND3 expression but significantly decreased miR-15b in B cells in vitro and we identified that CCND3 is a direct target of miR-15b. To further confirm our results, we established another lupus model by topically treating C57BL/6 (B6) mice with the TLR-7 agonist imiquimod (IMQ) for 8 weeks according to the previously described protocol. Expectedly, topical treatment with IMQ also significantly increased CCND3 and decreased miR-15b in B cells of B6 mice. Taken together, our results identified that the activation of TLR7 increased CCND3 expression via the downregulation of miR-15b in B cells; thus, these findings suggest that extrinsic factor-induced CCND3 expression may contribute to the abnormality of B cell in SLE.
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Roles of B Cell-Intrinsic TLR Signals in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:13084-105. [PMID: 26068236 PMCID: PMC4490487 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160613084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 05/31/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a large family of pattern recognition receptors. TLR signals are involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. Mouse and human B cells constitutively express most TLRs. Many B cell subpopulations are highly responsive to certain TLR ligation, including B-1 B cells, transitional B cells, marginal zone B cells, germinal center B cell and memory B cells. The B cell-intrinsic TLR signals play critical roles during lupus process. In this review, roles of B cell-intrinsic TLR2, 4, 7, 8 and 9 signals are discussed during lupus pathogenesis in both mouse model and patients. Moreover, mechanisms underlying TLR ligation-triggered B cell activation and signaling pathways are highlighted.
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113
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Khan AR, Amu S, Saunders SP, Hams E, Blackshields G, Leonard MO, Weaver CT, Sparwasser T, Sheils O, Fallon PG. Ligation of TLR7 on CD19(+) CD1d(hi) B cells suppresses allergic lung inflammation via regulatory T cells. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:1842-54. [PMID: 25763771 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
B cells have been described as having the capacity to regulate cellular immune responses and suppress inflammatory processes. One such regulatory B-cell population is defined as IL-10-producing CD19(+) CD1d(hi) cells. Previous work has identified an expansion of these cells in mice infected with the helminth, Schistosoma mansoni. Here, microarray analysis of CD19(+) CD1d(hi) B cells from mice infected with S. mansoni demonstrated significantly increased Tlr7 expression, while CD19(+) CD1d(hi) B cells from uninfected mice also demonstrated elevated Tlr7 expression. Using IL-10 reporter, Il10(-/-) and Tlr7(-/-) mice, we formally demonstrate that TLR7 ligation of CD19(+) CD1d(hi) B cells increases their capacity to produce IL-10. In a mouse model of allergic lung inflammation, the adoptive transfer of TLR7-elicited CD19(+) CD1d(hi) B cells reduced airway inflammation and associated airway hyperresponsiveness. Using DEREG mice to deplete FoxP3(+) T regulatory cells in allergen-sensitized mice, we show that that TLR7-elicited CD19(+) CD1d(hi) B cells suppress airway hyperresponsiveness via a T regulatory cell dependent mechanism. These studies identify that TLR7 stimulation leads to the expansion of IL-10-producing CD19(+) CD1d(hi) B cells, which can suppress allergic lung inflammation via T regulatory cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan R Khan
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sylvie Amu
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, St James's Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean P Saunders
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emily Hams
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gordon Blackshields
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Sir Patrick Duns Research Laboratory, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Martin O Leonard
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, The Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Casey T Weaver
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Tim Sparwasser
- Institute of Infection Immunology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hanover, Germany
| | - Orla Sheils
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Sir Patrick Duns Research Laboratory, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Padraic G Fallon
- Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, St James's Hospital, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
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114
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Boneparth A, Huang W, Bethunaickan R, Woods M, Sahu R, Arora S, Akerman M, Lesser M, Davidson A. TLR7 influences germinal center selection in murine SLE. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119925. [PMID: 25794167 PMCID: PMC4368537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
TLR7 enhances germinal center maturation and migration of B cells to the dark zone where proliferation and somatic hypermutation occur. Our goal was to determine how Tlr7 dose influences selection of the autoreactive B cell repertoire in NZW/BXSB. Yaa mice bearing the site-directed heavy chain transgene 3H9 that encodes for the TLR7 regulated anti-CL response. To create a physiologic setting in which autoreactive B cells compete for survival with non-autoreactive B cells, we generated bone marrow chimeras in which disease onset occurred with similar kinetics and the transferred 3H9+ female non-Yaa, male Yaa or male TLR7-/Yaa cells could be easily identified by positivity for GFP. Deletion of 3H9 B cells occurred in the bone marrow and the remaining 3H9 follicular B cells manifested a decrease in surface IgM. Although there were differences in the naïve repertoire between the chimeras it was not possible to distinguish a clear pattern of selection against lupus related autoreactivity in TLR7-/Yaa or female chimeras. By contrast, preferential expansion of 3H9+ B cells occurred in the germinal centers of male Yaa chimeras. In addition, although all chimeras preferentially selected 3H9/Vκ5 encoded B cells into the germinal center and plasma cell compartments, 3H9 male Yaa chimeras had a more diverse repertoire and positively selected the 3H9/Vκ5-48/Jκ4 pair that confers high affinity anti-cardiolipin activity. We were unable to demonstrate a consistent effect of Tlr7 dose or Yaa on somatic mutations. Our data show that TLR7 excess influences the selection, expansion and diversification of B cells in the germinal center, independent of other genes in the Yaa locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Boneparth
- Center for Autoimmunity and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States of America
| | - Weiqing Huang
- Center for Autoimmunity and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States of America
| | - Ramalingam Bethunaickan
- Center for Autoimmunity and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States of America
| | - Megan Woods
- Center for Autoimmunity and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States of America
| | - Ranjit Sahu
- Center for Autoimmunity and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States of America
| | - Shitij Arora
- Center for Autoimmunity and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States of America
| | - Meredith Akerman
- Biostatistics Unit, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States of America
| | - Martin Lesser
- Biostatistics Unit, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States of America
| | - Anne Davidson
- Center for Autoimmunity and Musculoskeletal Diseases, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, 11030, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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115
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Nündel K, Green NM, Shaffer AL, Moody KL, Busto P, Eilat D, Miyake K, Oropallo MA, Cancro MP, Marshak-Rothstein A. Cell-intrinsic expression of TLR9 in autoreactive B cells constrains BCR/TLR7-dependent responses. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:2504-12. [PMID: 25681333 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Endosomal TLRs play an important role in systemic autoimmune diseases, such as systemic erythematosus lupus, in which DNA- and RNA-associated autoantigens activate autoreactive B cells through TLR9- and TLR7-dependent pathways. Nevertheless, TLR9-deficient autoimmune-prone mice develop more severe clinical disease, whereas TLR7-deficient and TLR7/9-double deficient autoimmune-prone mice develop less severe disease. To determine whether the regulatory activity of TLR9 is B cell intrinsic, we directly compared the functional properties of autoantigen-activated wild-type, TLR9-deficient, and TLR7-deficient B cells in an experimental system in which proliferation depends on BCR/TLR coengagement. In vitro, TLR9-deficient cells are less dependent on survival factors for a sustained proliferative response than are either wild-type or TLR7-deficient cells. The TLR9-deficient cells also preferentially differentiate toward the plasma cell lineage, as indicated by expression of CD138, sustained expression of IRF4, and other molecular markers of plasma cells. In vivo, autoantigen-activated TLR9-deficient cells give rise to greater numbers of autoantibody-producing cells. Our results identify distinct roles for TLR7 and TLR9 in the differentiation of autoreactive B cells that explain the capacity of TLR9 to limit, as well as TLR7 to promote, the clinical features of systemic erythematosus lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Nündel
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Nathaniel M Green
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Arthur L Shaffer
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Krishna L Moody
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Patricia Busto
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA 01605
| | - Dan Eilat
- Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem 91322, Israel
| | - Kensuke Miyake
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; and
| | - Michael A Oropallo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Michael P Cancro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Ann Marshak-Rothstein
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA 01605;
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116
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Jackson SW, Kolhatkar NS, Rawlings DJ. B cells take the front seat: dysregulated B cell signals orchestrate loss of tolerance and autoantibody production. Curr Opin Immunol 2015; 33:70-7. [PMID: 25679954 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2015.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A significant proportion of autoimmune-associated genetic variants are expressed in B cells, suggesting that B cells may play multiple roles in autoimmune pathogenesis. In this review, we highlight recent studies demonstrating that even modest alterations in B cell signaling are sufficient to promote autoimmunity. First, we describe several examples of genetic variations promoting B cell-intrinsic initiation of autoimmune germinal centers and autoantibody production. We highlight how dual antigen receptor/toll-like receptor signals greatly facilitate this process and how activated, self-reactive B cells may function as antigen presenting cells, leading to loss of T cell tolerance. Further, we propose that B cell-derived cytokines may initiate and/or sustain autoimmune germinal centers, likely also contributing, in parallel, to programing of self-reactive T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun W Jackson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States; Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Nikita S Kolhatkar
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States; Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - David J Rawlings
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States; Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States; Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.
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