Dendritic cells enhance the differentiation of naïve B cells into plasma cells in vitro

We have shown previously that in vitro-generated human dendritic cells have an effect on the response of B cells at various stages of their differentiation. In a culture system described for the in vitro induction of plasma-cell differentiation, it was reported that naïve B cells have a poor propensity to differentiate into plasma cells. In such a culture system, 12% of naïve B cells differentiated into plasma cells in the presence of IL-2 and IL-10, despite the interruption of CD40 signalling which is necessary for plasma-cell differentiation. However, as reported herein, naïve B cells differentiated fully into plasma cells in response to dendritic cells. Addition of dendritic cells enhanced this differentiation strikingly by recruiting 57% of B cells as plasma cells producing IgM, but also IgG and IgA. In this model, dendritic cells act in synergy with IL-2 at an early stage of CD40-dependent B-cell differentiation, while IL-2 and IL-10 act together, at a later stage, in the generation of plasma cells in a CD40-independent manner. Thus, in addition to the key role played by dendritic cells in the initiation of T-cell responses, our results suggest that dendritic cells regulate humoral responses.

Selective recruitment of immature and mature dendritic cells by distinct chemokines expressed in different anatomic sites

DCs (dendritic cells) function as sentinels of the immune system. They traffic from the blood to the tissues where, while immature, they capture antigens. They then leave the tissues and move to the draining lymphoid organs where, converted into mature DC, they prime naive T cells. This suggestive link between DC traffic pattern and functions led us to investigate the chemokine responsiveness of DCs during their development and maturation. DCs were differentiated either from CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) cultured with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plus tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or from monocytes cultured with GM-CSF plus interleukin 4. Immature DCs derived from CD34(+) HPCs migrate most vigorously in response to macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-3alpha, but also to MIP-1alpha and RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted). Upon maturation, induced by either TNF-alpha, lipopolysaccharide, or CD40L, DCs lose their response to these three chemokines when they acquire a sustained responsiveness to a single other chemokine, MIP-3beta. CC chemokine receptor (CCR)6 and CCR7 are the only known receptors for MIP-3alpha and MIP-3beta, respectively. The observation that CCR6 mRNA expression decreases progressively as DCs mature, whereas CCR7 mRNA expression is sharply upregulated, provides a likely explanation for the changes in chemokine responsiveness. Similarly, MIP-3beta responsiveness and CCR7 expression are induced upon maturation of monocyte- derived DCs. Furthermore, the chemotactic response to MIP-3beta is also acquired by CD11c+ DCs isolated from blood after spontaneous maturation. Finally, detection by in situ hybridization of MIP-3alpha mRNA only within inflamed epithelial crypts of tonsils, and of MIP-3beta mRNA specifically in T cell-rich areas, suggests a role for MIP-3alpha/CCR6 in recruitment of immature DCs at site of injury and for MIP-3beta/CCR7 in accumulation of antigen-loaded mature DCs in T cell-rich areas.

CD40L activation of dendritic cells down-regulates DORA, a novel member of the immunoglobulin superfamily

Using a cDNA subtraction technique, a novel member of the immunoglobulin superfamily was isolated from human Dendritic cells (DC). This cDNA which we named DORA, for DOwn-Regulated by Activation encodes a protein belonging to the CD8 family of receptors containing a single V type loop domain with an associated J chain region, a transmembrane region containing an atypical tyrosine residue and a cytoplasmic domain containing three putative tyrosine phosphorylation sites. The hDORA gene has been localised to chromosome 16. From database searches a rat cDNA was identified that encoded a polypeptide with 63% identity to hDORA. The expression of the human cDNA was studied in detail. Northern blot analysis revealed 1.0 kb and 2.5 kb mRNAs in peripheral blood lymphocytes, spleen and lymph node, while low levels were observed in thymus, appendix, bone marrow and fetal liver. No signal was noted in non-immune system tissues. By RT-PCR analysis of hDORA revealed expression in cells committed to the myeloid lineage but not in CD34+ precursors or B cells and low expression in T cells. Expression was also observed in DC, purified ex vivo or generated in vitro from either monocytes or CD34+ progenitors. This was down-regulated following activation both by PMA and Ionomycin treatment and also by CD40L engagement. In situ hybridisation performed on tonsil sections showed the presence of hDORA in cells within Germinal Centers. This structure and expression suggests a function as a co-receptor, perhaps in an antigen uptake complex, or in homing or recirculation of DC.

Identification and analysis of a novel member of the ubiquitin family expressed in dendritic cells and mature B cells

Using a cDNA subtraction technique, a novel member of the ubiquitin family was isolated from human dendritic cells. This gene encodes a diubiquitin protein containing tandem head to tail ubiquitin-like domains, with the conservation of key functional residues. Expression of this 777-bp mRNA was restricted to dendritic cells and B cells, with strong expression in mature B cells. Southern blot analysis indicated that a single copy of this gene is present. In situ hybridization on tonsillar tissue showed expression in epithelial cells and isolated cells within the germinal center. With respect to an expressed-sequence tag (EST) this cDNA could be localized to the major histocompatibility complex class I region of chromosome 6. Comparative analysis and the expression pattern of this gene suggests a function in antigen processing and presentation.

Polymerase chain reaction selects a novel disintegrin proteinase from CD40-activated germinal center dendritic cells

To identify genes expressed by a specific subset of dendritic cells found in vivo a polymerase chain reaction-based cDNA subtraction technique was applied to the recently described germinal center dendritic cells. A novel member of the disintegrin metalloproteinase family was cloned which comprises a not typical zinc-chelating catalytic site most similar to a bacterial metalloproteinase. Dendritic cell precursors or immature dendritic cells express no or low levels of the message. It is induced to high levels upon spontaneous or CD40-dependent maturation and in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. In situ hybridization showed distinct expression of this gene in the germinal center. This, together with the findings that certain disintegrin metalloproteinases regulate the activity of tumor necrosis factor alpha and that metalloproteinases have also been implicated in FasL processing, suggest that this novel molecule may play an important role in dendritic cell function and their interactions with germinal center T cells.

Human dendritic cells skew isotype switching of CD40-activated naive B cells towards IgA1 and IgA2

Within T cell-rich areas of secondary lymphoid organs, interdigitating dendritic cells recruit antigen-specific T cells that then induce B cells to secrete Igs. This study investigates the possible role(s) of dendritic cells in the regulation of human B cell responses. In the absence of exogenous cytokines, in vitro generated dendritic cells (referred to as Dendritic Langerhans cells, D-Lc) induced surface IgA expression on approximately 10% of CD40-activated naive sIgD+ B cells. In the presence of IL-10 and TGF-beta, a combination of cytokines previously identified for its capacity to induce IgA switch, D-Lc strongly potentiated the induction of sIgA on CD40-activated naive B cells from 5% to 40-50%. D-Lc alone did not induce the secretion of IgA by CD40-activated naive B cells, which required further addition of IL-10. Furthermore, D-Lc skewed towards the IgA isotype at the expense of IgG, the Ig production of CD40-activated naive B cells cultured in the presence of IL-10 and TGF-beta. Importantly, under these culture conditions, both IgA1 and IgA2 were detected. In the presence of IL-10, secretion of IgA2 by CD40-activated naive B cells could be detected only in response to D-Lc and was further enhanced by TGF-beta. Collectively, these results suggest that in addition to activating T cells in the extrafollicular areas of secondary lymphoid organs, human D-Lc also directly modulate T cell-dependent B cell growth and differentiation, by inducing the IgA isotype switch.

The EBV IL-10 homologue is a selective agonist with impaired binding to the IL-10 receptor

BCRF1 is an EBV homologue of human IL-10 (hIL-10) and is known as viral IL-10 (vIL-10). As found earlier for the effects of vIL-10 on mouse mast cells and CD4+ T cells, the efficiency of inhibition by vIL-10 of IL-2 production by human CD4+ T cell clones is approximately 1000-fold diminished compared with hIL-10. We studied the interaction of vIL-10 and an epitope-tagged homologue, vIL-10His6, with recombinant mouse and human IL-10 receptors (mIL-10R, hIL-10R). vIL-10His6 has approximately 1000-fold lower affinity for recombinant IL-10R than does hIL-10, yet stimulates proliferation of mouse Ba/F3 (BaF)-mIL-10R- and human TF1-hIL-10R-transfected cells with a sp. act. comparable to or greater than that of the cellular cytokine. In contrast, BaF-hIL-10R cells are approximately 1000-fold less sensitive to vIL-10His6 than are BaF-mIL-10R cells. An anti-hIL-10R mAb (3F9) blocks responses to both hIL-10 and vIL-10His6, while a soluble form of hIL-10R effectively neutralizes biologic responses only to hIL-10 by both BaF-IL-10R transfectants and normal human peripheral blood cells. The results indicate that biologic responses to both hIL-10 and vIL-10 require the known IL-10R, and suggest the existence of at least one additional IL-10R subunit. We suggest that vIL-10 is a selective agonist that is impaired in its ability to bind the defined IL-10R, which we now designate as IL-10R alpha.

The EBV IL-10 homologue is a selective agonist with impaired binding to the IL-10 receptor

BCRF1 is an EBV homologue of human IL-10 (hIL-10) and is known as viral IL-10 (vIL-10). As found earlier for the effects of vIL-10 on mouse mast cells and CD4+ T cells, the efficiency of inhibition by vIL-10 of IL-2 production by human CD4+ T cell clones is approximately 1000-fold diminished compared with hIL-10. We studied the interaction of vIL-10 and an epitope-tagged homologue, vIL-10His6, with recombinant mouse and human IL-10 receptors (mIL-10R, hIL-10R). vIL-10His6 has approximately 1000-fold lower affinity for recombinant IL-10R than does hIL-10, yet stimulates proliferation of mouse Ba/F3 (BaF)-mIL-10R- and human TF1-hIL-10R-transfected cells with a sp. act. comparable to or greater than that of the cellular cytokine. In contrast, BaF-hIL-10R cells are approximately 1000-fold less sensitive to vIL-10His6 than are BaF-mIL-10R cells. An anti-hIL-10R mAb (3F9) blocks responses to both hIL-10 and vIL-10His6, while a soluble form of hIL-10R effectively neutralizes biologic responses only to hIL-10 by both BaF-IL-10R transfectants and normal human peripheral blood cells. The results indicate that biologic responses to both hIL-10 and vIL-10 require the known IL-10R, and suggest the existence of at least one additional IL-10R subunit. We suggest that vIL-10 is a selective agonist that is impaired in its ability to bind the defined IL-10R, which we now designate as IL-10R alpha.

Delayed IgG2 humoral response in infants is not due to intrinsic T or B cell defects

The physiologically low or absent IgG2 responses of infants have been attributed to T or B cell functional immaturity. We have analyzed the capacity of adult and neonatal T lymphocytes to secrete IgG2 switch factor (IgG2-SF) and the capacity of neonatal B cells to respond to such factors. The IgG2-SF capacity was assessed on CD40-activated naive B cells, measuring IgG2 by ELISA in supernatants of cultures performed in the presence of IL-10. T cells secreted IgG2-SF together with IL-2 and IFN-gamma, after activation with a combination of anti-CD2, anti-CD28 and phorbol myristate acetate (Th1-like activation). In contrast, activation with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28, which yielded IL-4 and IL-10 but neither IL-2 nor IFN-gamma (Th2-like activation), did not result in the secretion of IgG2-SF. The supernatant of activated neonatal T cells contained IgG2-SF. Neonates' B cells produced almost as much IgG2 as did naive adult B cells. The effect of IgG2-SF was further demonstrated by its ability to induce 3-15% of CD40-activated naive B cells to express cytoplasmic IgG2 regardless of the presence of IL-10. This study demonstrates that: (i) IgG2 switch can be T cell dependent in humans, (ii) IgG2-SF is produced with Th1-like cytokines and (iii) low IgG2 responses in infants do not result from either an inability of T cells to produce IgG2-SF or an inability of B cells to undergo IgG2 switch in vitro.

Somatic mutations in human Ig variable genes correlate with a partially functional CD40-ligand in the X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome

X-linked hyper-IgM (HIGM-1) syndrome is a rare disorder resulting from mutations in the CD40-ligand (CD40L) gene. This defect is associated with normal or elevated serum levels of IgM, and with low to undetectable levels of serum IgG, IgA, and IgE. We analyzed the somatic mutation status in Ig V genes from three unrelated HIGM-1 patients by reverse-transcription PCR and sequence analysis. Two patients (B.S. and P.S.) expressed unmutated VH6 genes. In contrast, one patient (A.T.) was found to express mutated VH6 genes. Whether the presence of somatic mutations in this patient was related to a functional CD40L was assessed by deriving T cell clones from his peripheral blood cells. Upon activation, these T cell clones expressed weakly and transiently surface CD40L, and were able to induce limited isotype switch of normal native B cells, indicating residual CD40L function. Altogether, our results 1) confirm the central role played by CD40L in the generation of somatic mutation (patients B.S. and P.S.), 2) provide an unusual illustration of the relative dissociation between somatic mutation and isotype switching (patient A.T.), and 3) demonstrate a further complexity of the X-linked HIGM syndrome that may occur despite a partially functional CD40L.

Somatic mutations in human Ig variable genes correlate with a partially functional CD40-ligand in the X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome

X-linked hyper-IgM (HIGM-1) syndrome is a rare disorder resulting from mutations in the CD40-ligand (CD40L) gene. This defect is associated with normal or elevated serum levels of IgM, and with low to undetectable levels of serum IgG, IgA, and IgE. We analyzed the somatic mutation status in Ig V genes from three unrelated HIGM-1 patients by reverse-transcription PCR and sequence analysis. Two patients (B.S. and P.S.) expressed unmutated VH6 genes. In contrast, one patient (A.T.) was found to express mutated VH6 genes. Whether the presence of somatic mutations in this patient was related to a functional CD40L was assessed by deriving T cell clones from his peripheral blood cells. Upon activation, these T cell clones expressed weakly and transiently surface CD40L, and were able to induce limited isotype switch of normal native B cells, indicating residual CD40L function. Altogether, our results 1) confirm the central role played by CD40L in the generation of somatic mutation (patients B.S. and P.S.), 2) provide an unusual illustration of the relative dissociation between somatic mutation and isotype switching (patient A.T.), and 3) demonstrate a further complexity of the X-linked HIGM syndrome that may occur despite a partially functional CD40L.

IL-10-driven immunoglobulin production by B lymphocytes from IgA-deficient individuals correlates to infection proneness

In search for a possible explanation of the phenotypic heterogeneity in IgA deficiency, we studied the function of B cells from IgA-deficient (IgAd) individuals. Two groups of IgAd individuals, one frequently infected and one clinically apparently healthy, as well as normal controls, were studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and B cells from IgAd individuals and controls were cultured with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain and with anti-CD40 MoAb presented on the CD32-transfected fibroblast cell line in the presence of IL-10. In this experimental system PBMC and B cells from the infection-prone IgAd individuals produced only minute amounts of IgA. In contrast, PBMC and B cells from healthy IgAd subjects secreted significantly more IgA1 and IgA2 in comparison with infection-prone IgAd patients (P < 0.05). These data suggest that the abnormalities of B cell differentiation in IgAd could be of heterogeneous origin. Thus, whereas in healthy IgAd subjects IgA production may be efficiently up-regulated in vitro by addition of IL-10 to CD40-activated B cell culture, the corresponding B cell differentiation does not occur in infection-prone IgAd patients. These observations provide a conceptual framework for phenotypic heterogeneity in IgAd subjects.

Interleukin-10 induces immunoglobulin G isotype switch recombination in human CD40-activated naive B lymphocytes

Upon activation, B lymphocytes can change the isotype of the antibody they express by immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype switch recombination. In previous studies on the regulation of human IgG expression, we demonstrated that interleukin 10 (IL-10) could stimulate IgG1 and IgG3 secretion by human CD40-activated naive (sIgD+) tonsillar B cells. To assess whether IL-10 actually promotes the DNA recombination underlying switching to these isotypes, we examined the effect of IL-10 on the generation of reciprocal products that form DNA circles as by-products of switch recombination. The content of reciprocal products characteristic of mu-gamma recombination was elevated after culture of CD40-activated tonsillar sIgD+ B cells with either IL-4 or IL-10, although high levels of IgG secretion were observed only with IL-10. Unlike IL-4, IL-10 did not induce reciprocal products of mu-epsilon and gamma-epsilon switch recombination. These results demonstrate that IL-10 promotes both switching to gamma and IgG secretion.

[B lymphocytes of patients with complete IgA deficiency secrete IgA in response to interleukin 10]

We have previously shown that human B lymphocytes cultured in the CD40 system, composed of an anti-CD40 mAb presented by a CD32-transfected fibroblastic cell line, proliferate but do not secrete immunoglobulins (Igs). However, the addition of particles of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan (SAC) induces B cell to secrete considerable amounts of Igs even in the absence of exogenous cytokines (CD40/SAC system). Additionally, B lymphocytes cultured in the CD40 system in the presence of human IL-10, produce high level of IgM, IgG and IgA, which are further increased by addition of SAC. Here, we have studied the capacity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with IgA deficiency (IgA-D) to secrete Igs, particularly IgA after CD40 triggering. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from IgA-D patients cultured in the CD40/SAC system produced IgM and IgG, but no IgA. The addition of IL-10 to the cultures, enhanced the production of IgM and IgG and most strikingly induced the production of high amounts of IgA. The addition of IL-10 to PBMNC from IgA-D patients activated through CD40 alone resulted in the production of IgA. Thus, IL-10 can remove the block in B cell differentiation and allows B cells from IgA-D patients to differentiate into IgA secreting cells.

CD40-activated human naive surface IgD+ B cells produce IgG2 in response to activated T-cell supernatant

Human IgG2 is an isotype associated with immune responses to carbohydrates. While interleukin-10 (IL-10) induced CD40-activated naive surface (s)IgD+ human B cells to secrete IgG1 and IgG3, none of 20 recombinant cytokines tested alone, or in combination with IL-10, was able to induce these cells to produce IgG2. This was not due to a specific inability of these sIgD+ B cells, as they could be induced to secrete microgram amounts of IgG2, as well as the three other IgG subclasses, when cultured with an anti-CD3-activated CD4+ T-cell clone. The supernatant of this activated CD4+ T-cell clone contained a soluble factor(s) able to induce the secretion of IgG2 by CD40-activated sIgD+ B cells. Following activation, blood T cells also produced a factor(s) inducing CD40-activated naive B cells to secrete IgG2. This CD4+ T-cell clone will thus permit us ultimately to define the presently uncharacterized cytokine(s) inducing naive B cells to secrete IgG2. This will provide a new insight for the study of immunodeficiencies involving a selective defect in IgG2.

IL-13 has only a subset of IL-4-like activities on B chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells

The recently described interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been shown to share many of the effects of IL-4 on normal B cells, including growth-promoting activity and induction of CD23. In this study, we compared the effects of IL-13 and IL-4 on B chronic lymphocytic leukaemias (B-CLL) cells. After anti-CD40 activation, both IL-13 and IL-4 promoted the DNA synthesis of B-CLL cells and increased the recovery of viable cells. The time kinetics of the proliferative response of B-CLL cells to IL-13 or IL-4 were superimposable and showed the long-lasting effect of both cytokines. As on normal B cells, both IL-4 and IL-13 synergized with IL-10 to enhance B-CLL DNA synthesis. Moreover, IL-13, like IL-4, was able to increase CD23 expression on anti-CD40-activated leukaemic B cells. The CD23 up-regulation and the DNA synthesis induced by IL-13 on anti-CD40-activated B-CLL cells, were significantly reduced when B-CLL cells were cultured with anti-IL-4 receptor monoclonal antibody, suggesting a common pathway for IL-13 and IL-4 signalling. However, after cross-linking of surface IgM, IL-4 strongly inhibited the IL-2-induced DNA synthesis of B-CLL cells, whereas IL-13 did not inhibit IL-2-driven proliferation of anti-IgM-activated B-CLL cells. Furthermore, while IL-4 strongly up-regulated the expression of CD23 on anti-IgM-activated leukaemic B cells, IL-13 only marginally increased it. Finally, IL-13, in contrast to IL-4, did not prevent the entry of B-CLL cells into apoptosis. Thus IL-13 and IL-4 display comparable effects on anti-CD40-activated B-CLL cells, which are blocked by anti-IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) monoclonal antibodies. However, IL-13-dependent effects are absent or inefficient in non-activated or anti-IgM-activated B-CLL cells. This suggests that such cells may lack functional IL-13 receptors, though IL-13R and IL-4R on B-CLL cells share a common component.

Interleukin 10 induces B lymphocytes from IgA-deficient patients to secrete IgA

We have previously shown that human B lymphocytes cultured in the CD40 system, composed of an anti-CD40 mAb presented by a CD32-transfected fibroblastic cell line, proliferate but do not secrete antibodies. However, the addition of particles of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan (SAC) induces B cell differentiation even in the absence of exogenous cytokines (CD40/SAC system). Additionally, B lymphocytes cultured in the CD40 system in the presence of human IL-10, produce IgM, IgG, and IgA, and Ig levels are further increased by SAC. Here, we have studied the capacity of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with IgA deficiency (IgA-D) to secrete Igs, particularly IgA after CD40 triggering. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from IgA-D patients cultured in the CD40/SAC system produced IgM and IgG, but not IgA. The addition of IL-10 to the cultures, enhanced the production of IgM and IgG and most strikingly induced the production of high amounts of IgA. The addition of IL-10 to PBMNC from IgA-D patients activated through CD40 alone resulted in the production of IgA. Thus, SAC and anti-CD40 mAb stimulate B cells to differentiate into cells secreting IgG and IgM whereas IL-10 plays a central role in inducing B cells from IgA-D patients to differentiate into IgA secreting cells.

Human interleukin 10 induces naive surface immunoglobulin D+ (sIgD+) B cells to secrete IgG1 and IgG3

During antigen-induced immune responses, human B cells switch isotype from immunoglobulin M (IgM)-IgD to IgG1-4, IgA1-2, or IgE. In the human, no cytokines have yet been demonstrated to act as switch factors for IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3. In this paper, we report that in response to interleukin 10 (IL-10), anti-CD40 activated tonsillar surface IgD+ (sIgD+) B cells are induced to secrete large amounts of IgM, IgG1, and IgG3 but neither IgG2 nor IgG4. Cord blood purified B cells and lymphocytes from Hyper-IgM patients also produced IgG1 and IgG3 after culture with anti-CD40 and IL-10. In contrast, sIgD- isotype-committed B cells produce IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 when activated through CD40 in the presence of IL-10. Thus, in addition to its growth-promoting and differentiating activities on human B cells, IL-10 may represent a switch factor for IgG1 and IgG3.

IL-10 and IL-13 as B cell growth and differentiation factors

B lymphocytes express at their surface the CD40 antigen which belongs to the NGF receptor superfamily. The crosslinking of the CD40 antigen using a mouse fibroblastic cell line expressing the human Fc receptor (Fc gamma RII/CDw32) and anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody induces resting B lymphocytes to enter a state of sustained proliferation. Addition of IL-4 or IL-13 result in the proliferation of human B cells and in the secretion of IgE following isotype switching. Addition of IL-10 permits limited cell proliferation but most importantly results in very high immunoglobulin production following differentiation of B cells into plasma cells. In response to IL-10, unseparated B cells cultured in the CD40 system produced the four IgG subclasses in ratio comparable to those observed in the serum. IL-10 induces naive B cells to secrete low but reproducible amounts of IgG and IgA. The combination of IL-10 and TGF beta induces naive B cells to secrete IgA1 and IgA2 as a consequence of isotype switching. The extracellular domain of CD40 binds with high affinity and high specificity to a ligand transiently expressed on activated T cells. This interaction of the CD40 antigen on B cells with its counter-structure on T cells represents a key step in T cell dependent B cell activation.