Multimodal repertoire analysis unveils B cell biology in health and immune-mediated diseases

Despite involvement of B cells in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases, biological mechanisms underlying their function are scarcely understood. To overcome this gap, comprehensive analysis of the B cell repertoire is essential. Here, we cataloged and investigated the repertoire of five B cell subsets from 595 cases under immune-mediated diseases and health. CDR-H3 length among naive B cells was shortened among autoimmune diseases in an interferon signature-dependent manner. VDJ gene usage was skewed especially in plasmablasts and unswitched-memory B cells of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with frequent usage of VDJ genes used mainly in naive B cells and not unswitched-memory B cells of healthy controls. We developed a scoring system for this skewing, and it correlated with peripheral helper T cell transcriptomic signatures and disease activity and decreased after belimumab treatment. Moreover, genetic association analysis identified three molecules possibly involved in somatic hyper-mutation processes in humans. Our multimodal repertoire analysis brings new insights to B cell biology.

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A tyrosine sulfation–dependent HLA-I modification identifies memory B cells and plasma cells

Science Advances ◽

10.1126/sciadv.aar7653 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (11) ◽

pp. eaar7653 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Justin T. H. Chan ◽

Yanling Liu ◽

Srijit Khan ◽

Jonathan R. St-Germain ◽

Chunxia Zou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cells ◽

B Cell ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Cell Activation ◽

Plasma Cells ◽

Human Leukocyte ◽

Memory B Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Tyrosine Sulfation ◽

Isolation And Characterization

Memory B cells and plasma cells are antigen-experienced cells tasked with the maintenance of humoral protection. Despite these prominent functions, definitive cell surface markers have not been identified for these cells. We report here the isolation and characterization of the monoclonal variable lymphocyte receptor B (VLRB) N8 antibody from the evolutionarily distant sea lamprey that specifically recognizes memory B cells and plasma cells in humans. Unexpectedly, we determined that VLRB N8 recognizes the human leukocyte antigen–I (HLA-I) antigen in a tyrosine sulfation–dependent manner. Furthermore, we observed increased binding of VLRB N8 to memory B cells in individuals with autoimmune disorders multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Our study indicates that lamprey VLR antibodies uniquely recognize a memory B cell– and plasma cell–specific posttranslational modification of HLA-I, the expression of which is up-regulated during B cell activation.

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Single-cell repertoire tracing identifies rituximab refractory B cells during myasthenia gravis relapses

10.1101/840389 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ruoyi Jiang ◽

Miriam L. Fichtner ◽

Kenneth B. Hoehn ◽

Panos Stathopoulos ◽

Richard J. Nowak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cells ◽

Myasthenia Gravis ◽

B Cell ◽

Single Cell ◽

De Novo ◽

Cell Receptor ◽

Memory B Cells ◽

Cell Repertoire ◽

B Cell Subsets ◽

Antibody Secreting Cells

AbstractRituximab, a B cell-depleting therapy, is indicated for treating a growing number of autoantibody-mediated autoimmune disorders. However, relapses can occur after treatment and autoantibody-producing B cell subsets may be found during relapses. It is not understood if these autoantibody-producing B cell subsets emerge from the failed depletion of pre-existing B cells or are re-generated de novo. To further define the mechanisms that cause post-rituximab relapse, we studied patients with autoantibody-mediated muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) myasthenia gravis (MG) who relapsed after treatment. We carried out single-cell transcriptional and B cell receptor (BCR) profiling on longitudinal B cell samples. We identified clones present prior to therapy that continued to persist during relapse. Persistent B cell clones included both antibody-secreting cells and memory B cells characterized by gene expression signatures associated with B cell survival. A subset of persistent antibody-secreting cells and memory B cells were specific for the MuSK autoantigen. These results demonstrate that rituximab is not fully effective at eliminating autoantibody-producing B cells and provide a mechanistic understanding of post-rituximab relapse in MuSK MG.

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From B-Cell Tolerance to Autoimmunity

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.sci-1.sci-1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. SCI-1-SCI-1

Author(s):

Ann Marshak-Rothstein

Keyword(s):

B Cells ◽

B Cell ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Cell Biology ◽

Cell Activation ◽

B Cell Activation ◽

Cell Repertoire ◽

Autoreactive B Cells

Abstract Despite numerous mechanisms that exist to purge the B-cell repertoire of potentially dangerous autoreactive cells, it is now clear that numerous cells with the capability of binding self determinants survive negative selection and persist peripherally as anergic or ignorant cells. Exactly how these B cells are normally constrained, and then aberrantly activated in the context of autoimmunity, are two major questions in B-cell biology. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in these processes could provide important insights to the regulation of alloreactivity. One clue to our understanding of autoimmunity comes from the nature of the autoantigens commonly targeted in systemic autoimmune diseases. Autoantigens often consist of macromolecular complexes that incorporate self-nucleic acids, and numerous in vitro studies have now shown that many of these canonical autoantigens are essentially potent endogenous autoadjuvants. Mice expressing a low affinity BCR specific for autologous IgG2a can be potently activated by DNA or RNA-associated immune complexes through a mechanism dependent on both the BCR and either TLR9 or TLR7, and serve as a useful prototype for autoreactive B cells in general. A number of groups have now tested this BCR/TLR paradigm in vivo. As expected, Tlr9-/- autoimmune-prone mice fail to produce autoantibodies directed against chromatin, while Tlr7-/- mice fail to produce autoantibodies directed against numerous RNA-associated proteins. However, the Tlr9-/- mice develop accelerated clinical disease, while the Tlr7-/- mice exhibit remarkably prolonged survival. We have now shown that BCR/TLR9 and BCR/TLR7 induce inherently different functional outcomes in B cells. Quite remarkably, both in vitro and in vivo, BCR/TLR7-dependent activation of autoreactive B cells leads to a more prolonged response and increased numbers of antibody producing cells. This response can be defined by a unique gene-expression profile and associated with proteins known to promote plasmablast differentiation. By contrast, BCR/TLR9 activation appears to initially limit autoreactive B-cell expansion; although in the context of systemic autoimmunity TLR9 is required for the production of DNA-reactive autoantibodies. Together these data indicate that the outcome BCR/TLR9 engagement of autoreactive B cells is highly dependent on environmental cues, and suggest that BCR/TLR7 B-cell activation is a key factor in the initiation of systemic lupus erythematosus and other systemic disorders. Disclosures: Marshak-Rothstein: Idera Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Genentech: Honoraria.

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AB0146 DRUG DEPENDENT ALTERATIONS IN B-CELL REPERTOIRE IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS PATIENTS WITH LOW DISEASE ACTIVITY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.4412 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 1373.2-1373

Author(s):

S. Zenz ◽

B. Dreo ◽

B. Prietl ◽

S. Kofler ◽

H. Sourij ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cells ◽

Disease Activity ◽

B Cell ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Cell Repertoire ◽

Low Disease Activity ◽

B Cell Repertoire ◽

Drug Dependent ◽

B Cell Subsets

Background:B-cells play a major role in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of the immune response in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). So far, B-cell subtypes have been studied well, but the precise mechanisms of the B-cell alterations during disease activity and during remission, depending on different medication, are still unclear.Objectives:The aim of our study was to investigate the drug dependent alterations in the B-cell repertoire of SLE patients with low disease activity (SLEDAI – 2K ≤4).Methods:Peripheral blood samples from 39 patients suffering from SLE (mean±SD; age 43±13 years, 87.2% females, disease duration 11.1±7 years) were drawn over 2 years. All SLE patients were in remission or low disease activity (median±SE, SLEDAI of 2.0±1.5). B-cells were characterized using CD19, CD20, CD5, CD27 antibodies and were grouped in naïve (IgD+27-), non-switched memory (IgD+, CD27+), memory (IgD-,CD27+), B1 (CD5+27-) and MBL-like (CD5++) B-cells. A quantitative flow cytometric bead-based assay (QuantiBRITE PE kit from Becton Dickinson) was used for the estimation of CD19 antibodies bound per cell. Further, CD38 and CD86 antibodies were used to characterize the B-cell subsets. All cytometric measurements were performed using a standardized BD LSR Fortessa platform. After 3 years of follow-up, patients’ data about disease activity and current medication were obtained.Results:22 SLE patients were treated with hydroxychloroquine (85.8%) and 19 patients received mycophenolate mofetil (MMF; n=14; 54.6%) or azathioprine (AZA; n= 5; 19.5 %). 5 patients were treated with other DMARDs. Independently of hydroxychloroquine and/or MMF, no significant differences were seen in naïve, non-switched memory, post-switched memory, plasma blasts, B1- or MBL-like B-cells. Patients treated with AZA had significantly lower naïve B-cells (mean±SD, 39.3±6.7vs. 73.1±19.3 %; p = 0.028), but had significantly higher IgD-post switched B-cells (31.2±9.1 vs.12.5 ±9.2 %; p = 0.028, respectively) compared with no AZA-treatment. Interestingly, activated B-cells (5.5±1.5 vs. 1.8±1.1%; p = 0.009) were significantly higher in AZA-treated. After 3 years of follow-up, almost all patients were in remission (median±SE, SLEDAI of 2.0±2.0), except of 3 patients with a SLEDAI of ≥ 6. Interestingly, those patients had at baseline, statistically higher naïve B-cells (p = 0.041) and lower B1-like B-cells (p =0.020) compared with patients with low disease activity.Conclusion:Our results suggest that independently of hydroxychloroquine and/or MMF treatment, all patients with low disease activity had similar normal B-cell subsets. Interestingly, in the small group of patients who were treated with AZA, a reduced regeneration of B-cells was shown. Patients with higher disease and high naïve B-cells showed an increased disease activity after three years.Acknowledgments:The research was performed in “CBmed” and funded by the Austrian Federal Government within the COMET K1 Centre Program, Land Steiermark and Land Wien.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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OP0005 ELEVATED STAT1 EXPRESSION BUT NOT PHOSPHORYLATION IN LUPUS B CELLS CORRELATES WITH DISEASE ACTIVITY AND INCREASED PLASMABLAST SUSCEPTIBILITY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.2955 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 4-5

Author(s):

A. Aue ◽

F. Szelinski ◽

S. Weißenberg ◽

A. Wiedemann ◽

T. Rose ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

B Cells ◽

Autoimmune Diseases ◽

Disease Activity ◽

B Cell ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Type I ◽

Type I Ifn ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

B Cell Subsets

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by two pathogenic key signatures, type I interferon (IFN) (1.) and B-cell abnormalities (2.). How these signatures are interrelated is not known. Type I-II IFN trigger activation of Janus kinase (JAK) – signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT).Objectives:JAK-STAT inhibition is an attractive therapeutic possibility for SLE (3.). We assess STAT1 and STAT3 expression and phosphorylation at baseline and after IFN type I and II stimulation in B-cell subpopulations of SLE patients compared to other autoimmune diseases and healthy controls (HD) and related it to disease activity.Methods:Expression of STAT1, pSTAT1, STAT3 and pSTAT3 in B and T-cells of 21 HD, 10 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 7 primary Sjögren’s (pSS) and 22 SLE patients was analyzed by flow cytometry. STAT1 and STAT3 expression and phosphorylation in PBMCs of SLE patients and HD after IFNα and IFNγ incubation were further investigated.Results:SLE patients showed substantially higher STAT1 but not pSTAT1 in B and T-cell subsets. Increased STAT1 expression in B cell subsets correlated significantly with SLEDAI and Siglec-1 on monocytes, a type I IFN marker (4.). STAT1 activation in plasmablasts was IFNα dependent while monocytes exhibited dependence on IFNγ.Figure 1.Significantly increased expression of STAT1 by SLE B cells(A) Representative histograms of baseline expression of STAT1, pSTAT1, STAT3 and pSTAT3 in CD19+ B cells of SLE patients (orange), HD (black) and isotype controls (grey). (B) Baseline expression of STAT1 and pSTAT1 or (C) STAT3 and pSTAT3 in CD20+CD27-, CD20+CD27+ and CD20lowCD27high B-lineage cells from SLE (orange) patients compared to those from HD (black). Mann Whitney test; ****p≤0.0001.Figure 2.Correlation of STAT1 expression by SLE B cells correlates with type I IFN signature (Siglec-1, CD169) and clinical activity (SLEDAI).Correlation of STAT1 expression in CD20+CD27- näive (p<0.0001, r=0.8766), CD20+CD27+ memory (p<0.0001, r=0.8556) and CD20lowCD27high (p<0.0001, r=0.9396) B cells from SLE patients with (A) Siglec-1 (CD169) expression on CD14+ cells as parameter of type I IFN signature and (B) lupus disease activity (SLEDAI score). Spearman rank coefficient (r) was calculated to identify correlations between these parameters. *p≤0.05, **p≤0.01. (C) STAT1 expression in B cell subsets of a previously undiagnosed, active SLE patient who was subsequently treated with two dosages of prednisolone and reanalyzed.Conclusion:Enhanced expression of STAT1 by B-cells candidates as key node of two immunopathogenic signatures (type I IFN and B-cells) related to important immunopathogenic pathways and lupus activity. We show that STAT1 is activated upon IFNα exposure in SLE plasmablasts. Thus, Jak inhibitors, targeting JAK-STAT pathways, hold promise to block STAT1 expression and control plasmablast induction in SLE.References:[1]Baechler EC, Batliwalla FM, Karypis G, Gaffney PM, Ortmann WA, Espe KJ, et al. Interferon-inducible gene expression signature in peripheral blood cells of patients with severe lupus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003;100(5):2610-5.[2]Lino AC, Dorner T, Bar-Or A, Fillatreau S. Cytokine-producing B cells: a translational view on their roles in human and mouse autoimmune diseases. Immunol Rev. 2016;269(1):130-44.[3]Dorner T, Lipsky PE. Beyond pan-B-cell-directed therapy - new avenues and insights into the pathogenesis of SLE. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2016;12(11):645-57.[4]Biesen R, Demir C, Barkhudarova F, Grun JR, Steinbrich-Zollner M, Backhaus M, et al. Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 1 expression in inflammatory and resident monocytes is a potential biomarker for monitoring disease activity and success of therapy in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum. 2008;58(4):1136-45.Disclosure of Interests:Arman Aue: None declared, Franziska Szelinski: None declared, Sarah Weißenberg: None declared, Annika Wiedemann: None declared, Thomas Rose: None declared, Andreia Lino: None declared, Thomas Dörner Grant/research support from: Janssen, Novartis, Roche, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Roche, Janssen, EMD, Speakers bureau: Eli Lilly, Roche, Samsung, Janssen

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The expansion of activated naive DNA autoreactive B cells and its association with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Arthritis Research & Therapy ◽

10.1186/s13075-021-02557-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kittikorn Wangriatisak ◽

Chokchai Thanadetsuntorn ◽

Thamonwan Krittayapoositpot ◽

Chaniya Leepiyasakulchai ◽

Thanitta Suangtamai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

B Cells ◽

Disease Activity ◽

B Cell ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Autoreactive B Cells ◽

Dsdna Antibody ◽

Cell Subpopulations ◽

B Cell Subsets

Abstract Background Autoreactive B cells are well recognized as key participants in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, elucidating the particular subset of B cells in producing anti-dsDNA antibodies is limited due to their B cell heterogeneity. This study aimed to identify peripheral B cell subpopulations that display autoreactivity to DNA and contribute to lupus pathogenesis. Methods Flow cytometry was used to detect total B cell subsets (n = 20) and DNA autoreactive B cells (n = 15) in SLE patients’ peripheral blood. Clinical disease activities were assessed in SLE patients using modified SLEDAI-2 K and used for correlation analyses with expanded B cell subsets and DNA autoreactive B cells. Results The increases of circulating double negative 2 (DN2) and activated naïve (aNAV) B cells were significantly observed in SLE patients. Expanded B cell subsets and DNA autoreactive B cells represented a high proportion of aNAV B cells with overexpression of CD69 and CD86. The frequencies of aNAV B cells in total B cell populations were significantly correlated with modified SLEDAI-2 K scores. Further analysis showed that expansion of aNAV DNA autoreactive B cells was more related to disease activity and serum anti-dsDNA antibody levels than to total aNAV B cells. Conclusion Our study demonstrated an expansion of aNAV B cells in SLE patients. The association between the frequency of aNAV B cells and disease activity patients suggested that these expanded B cells may play a role in SLE pathogenesis.

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Multiple Functions of B Cells in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20236021 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (23) ◽

pp. 6021 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kongyang Ma ◽

Wenhan Du ◽

Xiaohui Wang ◽

Shiwen Yuan ◽

Xiaoyan Cai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

B Cells ◽

B Cell ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Autoantibody Production ◽

Regulatory B Cell ◽

Functional Features ◽

B Cell Subsets

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by excessive autoantibody production and multi-organ involvement. Although the etiology of SLE still remains unclear, recent studies have characterized several pathogenic B cell subsets and regulatory B cell subsets involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Among pathogenic B cell subsets, age-associated B cells (ABCs) are a newly identified subset of autoreactive B cells with T-bet-dependent transcriptional programs and unique functional features in SLE. Accumulation of T-bet+ CD11c+ ABCs has been observed in SLE patients and lupus mouse models. In addition, innate-like B cells with the autoreactive B cell receptor (BCR) expression and long-lived plasma cells with persistent autoantibody production contribute to the development of SLE. Moreover, several regulatory B cell subsets with immune suppressive functions have been identified, while the impaired inhibitory effects of regulatory B cells have been indicated in SLE. Thus, further elucidation on the functional features of B cell subsets will provide new insights in understanding lupus pathogenesis and lead to novel therapeutic interventions in the treatment of SLE.

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Proportions of B-cell subsets are altered in incomplete systemic lupus erythematosus and correlate with interferon score and IgG levels

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keaa114 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 (9) ◽

pp. 2616-2624

Author(s):

Svenja Henning ◽

Wietske M Lambers ◽

Berber Doornbos-van der Meer ◽

Wayel H Abdulahad ◽

Frans G M Kroese ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cells ◽

B Cell ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Cell Subset ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Type I ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

B Cell Subsets

Abstract Objectives Incomplete SLE (iSLE) patients display symptoms typical for SLE but have insufficient criteria to fulfil the diagnosis. Biomarkers are needed to identify iSLE patients that will progress to SLE. IFN type I activation, B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) and B-cell subset distortions play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether B-cell subsets are altered in iSLE patients, and whether these alterations correlate with IFN scores and BAFF levels. Methods iSLE patients (n = 34), SLE patients (n = 41) with quiescent disease (SLEDAI ≤4) and healthy controls (n = 22) were included. Proportions of B-cell subsets were measured with flow cytometry, IFN scores with RT-PCR and BAFF levels with ELISA. Results Proportions of age-associated B-cells were elevated in iSLE patients compared with healthy controls and correlated with IgG levels. In iSLE patients, IFN scores and BAFF levels were significantly increased compared with healthy controls. Also, IFN scores correlated with proportions of switched memory B-cells, plasma cells and IgG levels, and correlated negatively with complement levels in iSLE patients. Conclusion In this cross-sectional study, distortions in B-cell subsets were observed in iSLE patients and were correlated with IFN scores and IgG levels. Since these factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE, iSLE patients with these distortions, high IFN scores, and high levels of IgG and BAFF may be at risk for progression to SLE.

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Complexity of the human memory B-cell compartment is determined by the versatility of clonal diversification in germinal centers

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1511270112 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 112 (38) ◽

pp. E5281-E5289 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Bettina Budeus ◽

Stefanie Schweigle de Reynoso ◽

Martina Przekopowitz ◽

Daniel Hoffmann ◽

Marc Seifert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cells ◽

B Cell ◽

Cell Clone ◽

Human Memory ◽

Memory B Cells ◽

Sequencing Analysis ◽

Cell Compartment ◽

Memory B Cell ◽

Cell Clones ◽

B Cell Subsets

Our knowledge about the clonal composition and intraclonal diversity of the human memory B-cell compartment and the relationship between memory B-cell subsets is still limited, although these are central issues for our understanding of adaptive immunity. We performed a deep sequencing analysis of rearranged immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain genes from biological replicates, covering more than 100,000 memory B lymphocytes from two healthy adults. We reveal a highly similar B-cell receptor repertoire among the four main human IgM+ and IgG+ memory B-cell subsets. Strikingly, in both donors, 45% of sequences could be assigned to expanded clones, demonstrating that the human memory B-cell compartment is characterized by many, often very large, B-cell clones. Twenty percent of the clones consisted of class switched and IgM+(IgD+) members, a feature that correlated significantly with clone size. Hence, we provide strong evidence that the vast majority of Ig mutated B cells—including IgM+IgD+CD27+ B cells—are post-germinal center (GC) memory B cells. Clone members showed high intraclonal sequence diversity and high intraclonal versatility in Ig class and IgG subclass composition, with particular patterns of memory B-cell clone generation in GC reactions. In conclusion, GC produce amazingly large, complex, and diverse memory B-cell clones, equipping the human immune system with a versatile and highly diverse compartment of IgM+(IgD+) and class-switched memory B cells.

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In VitroMeasles Virus Infection of Human Lymphocyte Subsets Demonstrates High Susceptibility and Permissiveness of both Naive and Memory B Cells

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.00131-18 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 92 (8) ◽

pp. e00131-18 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Brigitta M. Laksono ◽

Christina Grosserichter-Wagener ◽

Rory D. de Vries ◽

Simone A. G. Langeveld ◽

Maarten D. Brem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

B Cells ◽

B Cell ◽

Immune Suppression ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Measles Virus ◽

Memory B Cells ◽

T And B Cells ◽

B Cell Subsets

ABSTRACTMeasles is characterized by a transient immune suppression, leading to an increased risk of opportunistic infections. Measles virus (MV) infection of immune cells is mediated by the cellular receptor CD150, expressed by subsets of lymphocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages, and thymocytes. Previous studies showed that human and nonhuman primate memory T cells express higher levels of CD150 than naive cells and are more susceptible to MV infection. However, limited information is available about the CD150 expression and relative susceptibility to MV infection of B-cell subsets. In this study, we assessed the susceptibility and permissiveness of naive and memory T- and B-cell subsets from human peripheral blood or tonsils toin vitroMV infection. Our study demonstrates that naive and memory B cells express CD150, but at lower frequencies than memory T cells. Nevertheless, both naive and memory B cells proved to be highly permissive to MV infection. Furthermore, we assessed the susceptibility and permissiveness of various functionally distinct T and B cells, such as helper T (TH) cell subsets and IgG- and IgA-positive memory B cells, in peripheral blood and tonsils. We demonstrated that TH1TH17 cells and plasma and germinal center B cells were the subsets most susceptible and permissive to MV infection. Our study suggests that both naive and memory B cells, along with several other antigen-experienced lymphocytes, are important target cells of MV infection. Depletion of these cells potentially contributes to the pathogenesis of measles immune suppression.IMPORTANCEMeasles is associated with immune suppression and is often complicated by bacterial pneumonia, otitis media, or gastroenteritis. Measles virus infects antigen-presenting cells and T and B cells, and depletion of these cells may contribute to lymphopenia and immune suppression. Measles has been associated with follicular exhaustion in lymphoid tissues in humans and nonhuman primates, emphasizing the importance of MV infection of B cellsin vivo. However, information on the relative susceptibility of B-cell subsets is scarce. Here, we compared the susceptibility and permissiveness toin vitroMV infection of human naive and memory T- and B-cell subsets isolated from peripheral blood or tonsils. Our results demonstrate that both naive and memory B cells are more permissive to MV infection than T cells. The highest infection levels were detected in plasma cells and germinal center B cells, suggesting that infection and depletion of these populations contribute to reduced host resistance.

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