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Wibrand C, Wittenborn TR, Voss LF, Winther G, Jensen L, Ferapontov A, Fonager SV, Fahlquist-Hagert C, Degn SE. B cell MHC haplotype affects follicular inclusion, germinal center participation and plasma cell differentiation in a mouse model of lupus. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258046. [PMID: 38090594 PMCID: PMC10715410 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction MHC class II molecules are essential for appropriate immune responses against pathogens but are also implicated in pathological responses in autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. Previous studies have shed light on the systemic contributions of MHC haplotypes to the development and severity of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we addressed the B cell intrinsic MHC haplotype impact on follicular inclusion, germinal center (GC) participation and plasma cell (PC) differentiation in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods We leveraged the 564Igi mouse model which harbors a B cell receptor knock-in from an autoreactive B cell clone recognizing ribonuclear components, including double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). This model recapitulates the central hallmarks of the early stages of SLE. We compared 564Igi heterozygous offspring on either H2b/b, H2b/d, or H2d/d background. Results This revealed significantly higher germinal center (GC) B cell levels in the spleens of H2b/b and H2b/d as compared to H2d/d (p<0.0001) mice. In agreement with this, anti-dsDNA-antibody levels were higher in H2b/b and H2b/d than in H2d/d (p<0.0001), with H2b/b also being higher compared to H2b/d (p<0.01). Specifically, these differences held true both for autoantibodies derived from the knock-in clone and from wild-type (WT) derived clones. In mixed chimeras where 564Igi H2b/b, H2b/d and H2d/d cells competed head-to-head in the same environment, we observed a significantly higher inclusion of H2b/b cells in GC and PC compartments relative to their representation in the B cell repertoire, compared to H2b/d and H2d/d cells. Furthermore, in mixed chimeras in which WT H2b/b and WT H2d/d cells competed for inclusion in GCs associated with an epitope spreading process, H2b/b cells participated to a greater extent and contributed more robustly to the PC compartment. Finally, immature WT H2b/b cells had a higher baseline of BCRs with an autoreactive idiotype and were subject to more stringent negative selection at the transitional stage. Discussion Taken together, our findings demonstrate that B cell intrinsic MHC haplotype governs their capacity for participation in the autoreactive response at multiple levels: follicular inclusion, GC participation, and PC output. These findings pinpoint B cells as central contributors to precipitation of autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Wibrand
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thomas R. Wittenborn
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lasse Frank Voss
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Gudrun Winther
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lisbeth Jensen
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Alexey Ferapontov
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Cellular Signal Patterns (CellPAT), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sofie V. Fonager
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Cecilia Fahlquist-Hagert
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Søren E. Degn
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Cellular Signal Patterns (CellPAT), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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