The Lupus-Associated Fcγ Receptor IIb-I232T Polymorphism Results in Impairment in the Negative Selection of Low-Affinity Germinal Center B Cells Via c-Abl in Mice.

OBJECTIVE: Fcγ receptor IIb (FcγRIIb) is an essential negative regulator of B cells that blocks B cell receptor (BCR) signaling and triggers c-Abl-dependent apoptosis of B cells. FcγRIIb-deficient mice display splenomegaly with expansion of B cells, leading to lupus. FcγRIIb-I232T is a hypofunctional polymorphism associated with lupus susceptibility in humans, an autoimmune disease linked to diminished deletion of autoreactive B cells. In the context of the FcγRIIb-I232T polymorphism, we investigated the role of FcγRIIb in the deletion of low-affinity germinal center (GC) B cells, an important mechanism for preventing autoimmunity. METHODS: We generated FcγRIIb232T/T mice to mimic human FcγRIIb-I232T carriers and immunized mice with chicken gamma globulin (CGG)-conjugated NP, a T cell-dependent antigen, to examine the response of GC B cells. RESULTS: Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, FcγRIIb232T/T mice showed increased numbers of low-affinity NP-specific IgG and NP-specific B cells and plasma cells; additionally, the expression of a somatic mutation (W33L) in their VH 186.2 genes encoding high-affinity BCR was reduced. Notably, FcγRIIb232T/T mice had a higher number of GC light zone B cells and showed less apoptosis than WT mice, despite having equivalent follicular helper T cell numbers and function. Moreover, phosphorylation of c-Abl was reduced in FcγRIIb232T/T mice, and treatment of WT mice with the c-Abl inhibitor nilotinib during the peak of GC response resulted in reduced affinity maturation reminiscent of FcγRIIb232T/T mice. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence of a critical role of FcγRIIb/c-Abl in the negative selection of GC B cells in FcγRIIb232T/T mice. Importantly, our findings indicate potential benefits of up-regulating FcγRIIb expression in B cells for treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Dual immuno-renal targeting of 7-benzylidenenaltrexone alleviates lupus nephritis via FcγRIIB and HO-1.

Known as a selective δ1 opioid receptor (DOR1) antagonist, the 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) is also a DOR1-independent immunosuppressant with unknown mechanisms. Here we investigated if BNTX could be beneficial for diseased MRL/lpr lupus mice. We treated mice with 0.5, 2, 5 or 10 mg/kg/day of BNTX for 2 weeks. At as low as 2 mg/kg/day, BNTX significantly improved splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. Notably, B cell numbers, particularly autoreactive plasma cells, were preferentially reduced; moreover, BNTX enhanced surface expression of FcγRIIB, an immune complex (IC)-dependent apoptotic trigger of B cells. Consequently, serum autoantibody concentrations were significantly decreased, leading to diminished glomerular IC deposition and renal fibrosis, thereby improving proteinuria. Microarray and pathway analyses revealed heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and p38 MAPK as key mediators of BNTX-induced upregulation of FcγRIIB. Moreover, HO-1 expression was also induced by BNTX via p38 MAPK at renal proximal tubules to further cytoprotection. Taken together, we demonstrate that BNTX can alleviate lupus nephritis by reducing autoreactive B cells via FcγRIIB and by augmenting renal protection via HO-1. Accordingly, we propose a new strategy to treat lupus nephritis via such a dual immuno-renal targeting using either a single agent or combined agents to simultaneously deplete B cells and enhance renal protection. KEY MESSAGES: 7-Benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) alleviates lupus nephritis in diseased MRL/lpr mice. BNTX reduces autoreactive plasma cell numbers and serum autoantibody titers. BNTX upregulates FcγRIIB levels via p38 MAPK and HO-1 to reduce B cell numbers. Reduction of immune complex deposition and fibrosis by BNTX improves proteinuria. BNTX induces HO-1 via p38 MAPK to enhance protection of renal proximal tubules.

Upregulation of FcγRIIB by resveratrol via NF-κB activation reduces B-cell numbers and ameliorates lupus.

Resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory agent, can inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators by activating Sirt1, which is a class III histone deacetylase. However, whether resveratrol can regulate inhibitory or anti-inflammatory molecules has been less studied. FcγRIIB, a receptor for IgG, is an essential inhibitory receptor of B cells for blocking B-cell receptor-mediated activation and for directly inducing apoptosis of B cells. Because mice deficient in either Sirt1 or FcγRIIB develop lupus-like diseases, we investigated whether resveratrol can alleviate lupus through FcγRIIB. We found that resveratrol enhanced the expression of FcγRIIB in B cells, resulting in a marked depletion of plasma cells in the spleen and notably in the bone marrow, thereby decreasing serum autoantibody titers in MRL/lpr mice. The upregulation of FcγRIIB by resveratrol involved an increase of Sirt1 protein and deacetylation of p65 NF-κB (K310). Moreover, increased binding of phosphor-p65 NF-κB (S536) but decreased association of acetylated p65 NF-κB (K310) and phosphor-p65 NF-κB (S468) to the -480 promoter region of Fcgr2b gene was responsible for the resveratrol-mediated enhancement of FcγRIIB gene transcription. Consequently, B cells, especially plasma cells, were considerably reduced in MRL/lpr mice, leading to improvement of nephritis and prolonged survival. Taken together, we provide evidence that pharmacological upregulation of FcγRIIB expression in B cells via resveratrol can selectively reduce B cells, decrease serum autoantibodies and ameliorate lupus nephritis. Our findings lead us to propose FcγRIIB as a new target for therapeutic exploitation, particularly for lupus patients whose FcγRIIB expression levels in B cells are downregulated.