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OBJECTIVE: Subsets of CD21-/low memory B cells (MBCs), including double-negative (DN, CD27-IgD-) and Tbet+CD11c+ cells, are expanded in chronic inflammatory diseases. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), CD21-/low MBCs correlate with joint destruction. However, whether this is due to the Tbet+CD11c+ subset, its function and pathogenic contribution to RA are unknown. This study aims to investigate the association between CD21-/lowTbet+CD11c+ MBCs and joint destruction as well as other clinical parameters and to elucidate their functional properties in patients with untreated RA (uRA). METHODS: Clinical observations were combined with flow cytometry (n = 36) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and V(D)J sequencing (n = 4) of peripheral blood (PB) MBCs from patients with uRA. The transcriptome of circulating Tbet+CD11c+ MBCs was compared with scRNA-seq data of synovial B cells. In vitro coculture of Tbet+CD11c+ B cells with T cells was used to assess costimulatory capacity. RESULTS: CD21-/lowTbet+CD11c+ MBCs in PB correlated with bone destruction but no other clinical parameters analyzed. The Tbet+CD11c+ MBCs have undergone clonal expansion and express somatically mutated V genes. Gene expression analysis of these cells identified a unique signature of more than 150 up-regulated genes associated with antigen presentation functions, including B cell receptor activation and clathrin-mediated antigen internalization; regulation of actin filaments, endosomes, and lysosomes; antigen processing, loading, presentation, and costimulation; a transcriptome mirrored in their synovial tissue counterparts. In vitro, Tbet+CD11c+ B cells induced retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γT expression in CD4+ T cells, thereby polarizing to Th17 cells, a T cell subset critical for osteoclastogenesis and associated with bone destruction. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that Tbet+CD11c+ MBCs contribute to the pathogenesis of RA by promoting bone destruction through antigen presentation, T cell activation, and Th17 polarization.
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Artrite Reumatoide , Antígeno CD11c , Humanos , Artrite Reumatoide/imunologia , Antígeno CD11c/metabolismo , Antígeno CD11c/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Feminino , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Células B de Memória/imunologia , Idoso , Apresentação de Antígeno/imunologia , Adulto , Membrana Sinovial/imunologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Involvement of B cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is supported by the presence of disease-specific autoantibodies and the efficacy of treatment directed against B cells. B cells that express low levels of or lack the B cell receptor (BCR) co-receptor CD21, CD21-/low B cells, have been linked to autoimmune diseases, including RA. In this study, we characterized the CD21+ and CD21-/low B cell subsets in newly diagnosed, early RA (eRA) patients and investigated whether any of the B cell subsets were associated with autoantibody status, disease activity and/or joint destruction. METHODS: Seventy-six eRA patients and 28 age- and sex-matched healthy donors were recruited. Multiple clinical parameters were assessed, including disease activity and radiographic joint destruction. B cell subsets were analysed in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared to healthy donors, the eRA patients displayed an elevated frequency of naïve CD21+ B cells in PB. Amongst memory B cells, eRA patients had lower frequencies of the CD21+CD27+ subsets and CD21-/low CD27+IgD+ subset. The only B cell subset found to associate with clinical factors was the CD21-/low double-negative (DN, CD27-IgD-) cell population, linked with the joint space narrowing score, i.e. cartilage destruction. Moreover, in SF from patients with established RA, the CD21-/low DN B cells were expanded and these cells expressed receptor activator of the nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). CONCLUSIONS: Cartilage destruction in eRA patients was associated with an expanded proportion of CD21-/low DN B cells in PB. The subset was also expanded in SF from established RA patients and expressed RANKL. Taken together, our results suggest a role for CD21-/low DN in RA pathogenesis.
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Artrite Reumatoide , Subpopulações de Linfócitos B , Humanos , Linfócitos B , Artrite Reumatoide/patologia , Líquido Sinovial , Autoanticorpos , Cartilagem/patologiaRESUMO
Immunological memory protects our body from re-infection and it is composed of a cellular and a humoral arm. The B-cell branch with its memory B cells (MBCs), plasma cells and antibodies, formed either in a germinal centre (GC) -dependent or -independent manner, ensure that we can rapidly mount a recall immune response. Previous work in immunised wildtype (WT) mice have identified several subsets of MBCs whereas less is known under autoimmune conditions. Here, we have investigated the heterogeneity of the MBC compartment in autoimmune mouse models and examined the clonal relationships between MBC subsets and GC B cells in one of the models. We demonstrate the presence of at least four different MBC subsets based on their differential expression pattern of CD73, CD80 and PD-L2 in surrogate light chain-deficient (SLC-/-), MRL+/+ and MRLlpr/lpr mice, where most of the MBCs express IgM. Likewise, four MBC subsets could be identified in WT immunised mice. In SLC-/- mice, high-throughput sequencing of Ig heavy chains demonstrates that the two CD73-positive subsets are generally more mutated. Lineage tree analyses on expanded clones show overlaps between all MBC subsets and GC B cells primarily in the IgM sequences. Moreover, each of the three IgM MBC subsets could be found both as ancestor and progeny to GC B cells. This was also observed in the IgG sequences except for the CD73-negative subset. Thus, our findings demonstrate that several MBC subsets are present in autoimmune and WT mice. In SLC-/- mice, these MBC subsets are clonally related to each other and to GC B cells. Our results also indicate that different MBC subsets can seed the GC reaction.
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Subpopulações de Linfócitos B , Camundongos , Animais , Linfócitos B , Plasmócitos , Células Clonais/metabolismo , Imunoglobulina MRESUMO
The tick-borne pathogen Neoehrlichia (N.) mikurensis is implicated in persistent infection of the vascular endothelium. B cells are crucial for the host defence to this infection. Chronic stimulation of B cells may result in B-cell transformation and lymphoma. Five patients with malignant B-cell lymphoma and concomitant N. mikurensis infection were investigated regarding clinical picture, lymphoma subtype, B-cell lymphoma immunophenotype and IGHV (variable region of the immunoglobulin heavy) gene repertoire. Three of the five patients improved markedly and ceased lymphoma treatment after doxycycline treatment to eliminate N. mikurensis. Sequencing the B-cell lymphoma IGHV genes revealed preferred usage of the IGHV1 (IGHV1-2, and -69) and IGHV3 (IGHV3-15, -21, -23) families. In conclusion, N. mikurensis infection may drive the development of malignant B-cell lymphomas. Eradication of the pathogen appears to induce remission with apparent curing of the lymphoma in some cases.
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Infecções por Anaplasmataceae , Linfoma de Células B , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos , Infecções por Anaplasmataceae/complicações , Infecções por Anaplasmataceae/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por Anaplasmataceae/microbiologia , Linfoma de Células B/etiologia , Linfoma de Células B/genética , Doenças Transmitidas por Carrapatos/microbiologia , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos B , Doxiciclina/uso terapêutico , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Análise de Sequência de DNA , ImunofenotipagemRESUMO
B and T cells are integral parts of the immune system and are implicated in many diseases, e.g. autoimmunity. Towards understanding the biology of B and T cells and subsets thereof, their transcriptomes can be analyzed using single-cell RNA sequencing. In some studies, the V(D)J transcripts encoding the variable regions of the B- and T-cell antigen receptors have been removed before the analyses. However, a systematic analysis of the effects of including versus excluding these genes is currently lacking. We have investigated the effects of these transcripts on unsupervised clustering and down-stream analyses of single-cell RNA sequencing data from B and T cells. We found that exclusion of the B-/T-cell receptor genes prior to unsupervised clustering resulted in clusters that represented biologically meaningful subsets, such as subsets of memory B and memory T cells. Furthermore, pseudo-time and trajectory inference analyses of early B-lineage cells resulted in a developmental pathway from progenitor to immature B cells. In contrast, when the B-/T-cell receptor genes were not removed, with the PCs used for clustering consisting of up to 70% V-genes, this resulted in some clusters being defined exclusively by V-gene segments. These did not represent biologically meaningful subsets; for instance in the early B-lineage cells, these clusters contained cells representing all developmental stages. Thus, in studies of B and T cells, to derive biologically meaningful results, it is imperative to remove the gene sequences that encode B- and T-cell receptors.
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Memory B cells (MBCs) are an essential part of our immunological memory. They respond fast upon re-encountering pathogens and can differentiate into plasma cells that secrete protective antibodies. The focus of this review is on MBCs that lack, or express low levels of, CD21, hereafter referred to as CD21-/low. These cells are expanded in peripheral blood with age and during chronic inflammatory conditions such as viral infections, malaria, common variable immunodeficiency, and autoimmune diseases. CD21-/low MBCs have gained significant attention; they produce disease-specific antibodies/autoantibodies and associate with key disease manifestations in some conditions. These cells can be divided into subsets based on classical B-cell and other markers, e.g. CD11c, FcRL4, and Tbet which, over the years, have become hallmarks to identify these cells. This has resulted in different names including age-associated, autoimmune-associated, atypical, tissue-like, tissue-resident, tissue-restricted, exhausted, or simply CD21-/low B cells. It is however unclear whether the expanded 'CD21-/low' cells in one condition are equivalent to those in another, whether they express an identical gene signature and whether they have a similar function. Here, we will discuss these issues with the goal to understand whether the CD21-/low B cells are comparable in different conditions.
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Doenças Autoimunes , Malária , Humanos , Linfócitos B , Autoanticorpos , Receptores de Complemento 3dRESUMO
CD38 is a multifunctional protein expressed on the surface of B cells in healthy individuals but also in B cell malignancies. Previous studies have suggested a connection between CD38 and components of the IgM class B cell antigen receptor (IgM-BCR) and its coreceptor complex. Here, we provide evidence that CD38 is closely associated with CD19 in resting B cells and with the IgM-BCR upon engagement. We show that targeting CD38 with an antibody, or removing this molecule with CRISPR/Cas9, inhibits the association of CD19 with the IgM-BCR, impairing BCR signaling in normal and malignant B cells. Together, our data suggest that CD38 is a new member of the BCR coreceptor complex, where it exerts a modulatory effect on B cell activation upon antigen recognition by regulating CD19. Our study also reveals a new mechanism where α-CD38 antibodies could be a valuable option in therapeutic approaches to B cell malignancies driven by aberrant BCR signaling.
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ADP-Ribosil Ciclase 1/imunologia , Linfócitos B , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/imunologia , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos B , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/metabolismo , Antígenos CD19/metabolismo , Humanos , Imunoglobulina M , Ativação Linfocitária , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos B/metabolismoRESUMO
B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) can be classified into subtypes according to the genetic aberrations they display. For instance, the translocation t(12;21)(p13;q22), representing the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene (ER), is present in a quarter of BCP-ALL cases. However, around 10% of the cases lack classifying chromosomal abnormalities (B-other). In pediatric ER BCP-ALL, rearrangement mediated by RAG (recombination-activating genes) has been proposed as the predominant driver of oncogenic rearrangement. Herein we analyzed almost 1600 pediatric BCP-ALL samples to determine which subtypes express RAG. We demonstrate that RAG1 mRNA levels are especially high in the ETV6-RUNX1 (ER) subtype and in a subset of B-other samples. We also define 31 genes that are co-expressed with RAG1 (RAG1-signature) in the ER subtype, a signature that also identifies this subset of B-other samples. Moreover, this subset also shares leukemia and pro-B gene expression signatures as well as high levels of the ETV6 target genes (BIRC7, WBP1L, CLIC5, ANGPTL2) with the ER subtype, indicating that these B-other cases are the recently identified ER-like subtype. We validated our results in a cohort where ER-like has been defined, which confirmed expression of the RAG1-signature in this recently described subtype. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the RAG1-signature identifies the ER-like subtype. As there are no definitive genetic markers to identify this novel subtype, the RAG1-signature represents a means to screen for this leukemia in children.
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Subunidade alfa 2 de Fator de Ligação ao Core/genética , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/genética , Proteínas de Fusão Oncogênica/genética , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras B/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-ets/genética , Proteínas Repressoras/genética , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/genética , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/metabolismo , Proteína 2 Semelhante a Angiopoietina/genética , Proteína 2 Semelhante a Angiopoietina/metabolismo , Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Criança , Canais de Cloreto/genética , Canais de Cloreto/metabolismo , Aberrações Cromossômicas , Subunidade alfa 2 de Fator de Ligação ao Core/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/genética , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/metabolismo , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Proteínas de Homeodomínio/metabolismo , Humanos , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose/genética , Proteínas Inibidoras de Apoptose/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Proteínas dos Microfilamentos/genética , Proteínas dos Microfilamentos/metabolismo , Proteínas de Neoplasias/genética , Proteínas de Neoplasias/metabolismo , Proteínas Nucleares/genética , Proteínas Nucleares/metabolismo , Proteínas de Fusão Oncogênica/metabolismo , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras B/classificação , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras B/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-ets/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Proteínas Repressoras/metabolismo , Transcriptoma , Translocação Genética , Variante 6 da Proteína do Fator de Translocação ETSRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Exercise can improve immune health and is beneficial for physical function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the immunological mechanisms are largely unknown. We evaluated the effect of moderate- to high intensity exercise with person-centred guidance on cells of the immune system, with focus on regulatory cell populations, in older adults with RA. METHODS: Older adults (≥65 years) with RA were randomized to either 20-weeks of moderate - to high intensity aerobic and resistance exercise (n = 24) or to an active control group performing home-based exercise of light intensity (n = 25). Aerobic capacity, muscle strength, DAS28 and CRP were evaluated. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 20 weeks. The frequency of immune cells defined as adaptive regulatory populations, CD4 + Foxp3 + CD25 + CD127- T regulatory cells (Tregs) and CD19 + CD24hiCD38hi B regulatory cells (Bregs) as well as HLA-DR-/lowCD33 + CD11b + myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), were assessed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: After 20 weeks of moderate- to high intensity exercise, aerobic capacity and muscle strength were significantly improved but there were no significant changes in Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) or CRP. The frequency of Tregs and Bregs decreased significantly in the intervention group, but not in the active control group. The exercise intervention had no effect on MDSCs. The reduction in regulatory T cells in the intervention group was most pronounced in the female patients. CONCLUSION: Moderate- to high intensity exercise in older adults with RA led to a decreased proportion of Tregs and Bregs, but that was not associated with increased disease activity or increased inflammation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Improved Ability to Cope With Everyday Life Through a Person-centered Training Program in Elderly Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis - PEP-walk Study, NCT02397798. Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov March 19, 2015.
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B cell development depends on the coordinated expression and cooperation of several transcription factors. Here we show that the transcription factor ETS-related gene (ERG) is crucial for normal B cell development and that its deletion results in a substantial loss of bone marrow B cell progenitors and peripheral B cells, as well as a skewing of splenic B cell populations. We find that ERG-deficient B lineage cells exhibit an early developmental block at the pre-B cell stage and proliferate less. The cells fail to express the immunoglobulin heavy chain due to inefficient V-to-DJ recombination, and cells that undergo recombination display a strong bias against incorporation of distal V gene segments. Furthermore, antisense transcription at PAX5-activated intergenic repeat (PAIR) elements, located in the distal region of the Igh locus, depends on ERG. These findings show that ERG serves as a critical regulator of B cell development by ensuring efficient and balanced V-to-DJ recombination.
Assuntos
Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Cadeias Pesadas de Imunoglobulinas/genética , Região Variável de Imunoglobulina/genética , Humanos , Regulador Transcricional ERG/metabolismoRESUMO
RNA-based therapeutics hold great promise for treating diseases and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) represent the most advanced platform for RNA delivery. However, the fate of the LNP-mRNA after endosome-engulfing and escape from the autophagy-lysosomal pathway remains unclear. To investigate this, mRNA (encoding human erythropoietin) was delivered to cells using LNPs, which shows, for the first time, a link between LNP-mRNA endocytosis and its packaging into extracellular vesicles (endo-EVs: secreted after the endocytosis of LNP-mRNA). Endosomal escape of LNP-mRNA is dependent on the molar ratio between ionizable lipids and mRNA nucleotides. Our results show that fractions of ionizable lipids and mRNA (1:1 molar ratio of hEPO mRNA nucleotides:ionizable lipids) of endocytosed LNPs were detected in endo-EVs. Importantly, these EVs can protect the exogenous mRNA during in vivo delivery to produce human protein in mice, detected in plasma and organs. Compared to LNPs, endo-EVs cause lower expression of inflammatory cytokines.
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Endossomos/fisiologia , Eritropoetina/metabolismo , Vesículas Extracelulares/metabolismo , Metabolismo dos Lipídeos , Nanopartículas/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Animais , Transporte Biológico , Linhagem Celular , Citoplasma/metabolismo , Endossomos/metabolismo , Endossomos/ultraestrutura , Eritropoetina/genética , Feminino , Humanos , Lipídeos/química , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Nanopartículas/químicaRESUMO
Depletion of B cells is beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with autoantibodies to citrullinated proteins (ACPA) and/or the Fc portion of immunoglobulins (rheumatoid factor [RF]), suggesting a role for B cells in disease pathogenesis. To date, however, the identity of specifically pathogenic B cell subsets has not been discovered. One candidate population is identified by the low expression or absence of complement receptor 2 (CD21-/low B cells). In this study, we sought to determine whether there was any correlation between CD21-/low B cells and clinical outcome in patients with established RA, either ACPA+ /RF+ (n = 27) or ACPA- /RF- (n = 10). Healthy donors (n = 17) were included as controls. The proportion of the CD21-/low CD27- IgD- memory B cell subset in peripheral blood (PB) was significantly increased in ACPA+ /RF+ RA patients compared with healthy donors, and the frequency of this subset correlated with joint destruction (r = 0.57, P < 0.04). The levels of the chemokines CXCL-9 and CXCL-10 were higher in synovial fluid than in plasma, and PB CD21-/low cells expressed the receptor, CXCR3. In synovial fluid, most of the B cells were CD21-/low , approximately 40% of that population was CD27- IgD- , and a third of those expressed the pro-osteoclastogenic factor receptor activator of the nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). This subset also secreted RANKL, in addition to other factors such as IL-6, even in the absence of stimulation. We interpret these data as reason to propose the hypothesis that the CD27- IgD- subset of CD21-/low B cells may mediate joint destruction in patients with ACPA+ /RF+ RA.
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Artrite Reumatoide/imunologia , Artrite Reumatoide/patologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos B/imunologia , Imunoglobulina D/metabolismo , Receptores de Complemento 3d/metabolismo , Membro 7 da Superfamília de Receptores de Fatores de Necrose Tumoral/metabolismo , Adulto , Quimiocina CXCL10/sangue , Quimiocina CXCL10/metabolismo , Quimiocina CXCL9/sangue , Quimiocina CXCL9/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Articulações/imunologia , Articulações/patologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ligante RANK/biossíntese , Receptores CXCR3/biossíntese , Líquido Sinovial/metabolismoRESUMO
Immunological memory ensures life-long protection against previously encountered pathogens, and in mice and humans the spleen is an important reservoir for long-lived memory B cells (MBCs). It is well-established that integrins play several crucial roles in lymphocyte survival and trafficking, but their involvement in the retention of MBCs in secondary lymphoid organs, and differences between B cell subsets in their adhesion capacity to ICAM-1 and/or VCAM-1 have not yet been confirmed. Here, we use an autoimmune mouse model, where MBCs are abundant, to show that the highest levels of LFA-1 and VLA-4 amongst B cells are found on MBCs. In vivo blockade of VLA-4 alone or in combination with LFA-1, but not LFA-1 alone, causes a release of MBCs from the spleen into the blood stream. In humans, we find that in peripheral blood, spleens, and tonsils from healthy donors the highest expression levels of the integrins LFA-1 and VLA-4 are also found on MBCs. Consistent with this, we found MBCs to have a higher capacity to adhere to ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 than naïve B cells. In patients with the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, it is the MBCs that have the highest levels of LFA-1 and VLA-4; moreover, compared with healthy donors, naïve B and MBCs of patients receiving anti-TNF medication have enhanced levels of the active form of LFA-1. Commensurate levels of the active αL subunit can be induced on B cells from healthy donors by exposure to the integrin ligands. Thus, our findings establish the selective use of the integrins LFA-1 and VLA-4 in the localization and adhesion of MBCs in both mice and humans.
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Linfócitos B/imunologia , Integrina alfa4beta1/imunologia , Antígeno-1 Associado à Função Linfocitária/imunologia , Idoso , Animais , Autoimunidade , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Humanos , Memória Imunológica , Lactente , Camundongos Knockout , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Tonsila Palatina/citologia , Tonsila Palatina/imunologia , Baço/citologia , Baço/imunologiaAssuntos
Subpopulações de Linfócitos B/citologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos B/imunologia , Timo/citologia , Células Apresentadoras de Antígenos/citologia , Células Apresentadoras de Antígenos/imunologia , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Fenótipo , Receptores de Complemento 3d/imunologia , Timo/imunologiaRESUMO
Our study aimed to determine the expression pattern and clinical relevance of CD99 in paediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP-ALL). Our findings demonstrate that high expression levels of CD99 are mainly found in high-risk BCP-ALL, e.g. BCR-ABL1 and CRLF2Re/Hi, and that high CD99 mRNA levels are strongly associated with a high frequency of relapse, high proportion of positive for minimal residual disease at day 29 and poor overall survival in paediatric cohorts, which indicate that CD99 is a potential biomarker for BCP-ALL.
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Antígeno 12E7/biossíntese , Biomarcadores Tumorais/biossíntese , Regulação Leucêmica da Expressão Gênica , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras B/metabolismo , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras B/mortalidade , Antígeno 12E7/genética , Adolescente , Biomarcadores Tumorais/genética , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Intervalo Livre de Doença , Feminino , Proteínas de Fusão bcr-abl/genética , Proteínas de Fusão bcr-abl/metabolismo , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Neoplasia Residual , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras B/genética , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras B/patologia , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Neoplásico/biossíntese , RNA Neoplásico/genética , Receptores de Citocinas/genética , Receptores de Citocinas/metabolismo , Taxa de Sobrevida , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Around four decades ago, it had been observed that there were cell lines as well as cells in the fetal liver that expressed antibody µ heavy (µH) chains in the apparent absence of bona fide light chains. It was thus possible that these cells expressed another molecule(s), that assembled with µH chains. The ensuing studies led to the discovery of the pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR), which is assembled from Ig µH and surrogate light (SL) chains, together with the signaling molecules Igα and ß. It is expressed on a fraction of pro-B (pre-BI) cells and most large pre-B(II) cells, and has been implicated in IgH chain allelic exclusion and down-regulation of the recombination machinery, assessment of the expressed µH chains and shaping the IgH repertoire, transition from the pro-B to pre-B stage, pre-B cell expansion, and cessation.
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Linfócitos B/imunologia , Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Diferenciação Celular/imunologia , Seleção Clonal Mediada por Antígeno , Tolerância Imunológica , Receptores de Células Precursoras de Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Alelos , Animais , Linfócitos B/citologia , Diferenciação Celular/genética , Humanos , Tolerância Imunológica/genética , Imunidade Humoral , Cadeias Pesadas de Imunoglobulinas/genética , Cadeias Leves Substitutas da Imunoglobulina/genética , Ligantes , Mutação , Fenótipo , Receptores de Células Precursoras de Linfócitos B/genética , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos B/genética , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Even though more than 30 years have passed since the eradication of smallpox, high titers of smallpox-specific antibodies are still detected in the blood of subjects vaccinated in childhood. In fact, smallpox-specific antibody levels are maintained in serum for more than 70 years. The generation of life-long immunity against infectious diseases such as smallpox and measles has been thoroughly documented. Although the mechanisms behind high persisting antibody titers in the absence of the causative agent are still unclear, long lived plasma cells (LLPCs) play an important role. Most of the current knowledge on LLPCs is based on experiments performed in mouse models, although the amount of data derived from human studies is increasing. As the results from mouse models are often directly extrapolated to humans, it is important to keep in mind that there are differences. These are not only the obvious such as the life span but there are also anatomical differences, for instance the adiposity of the bone marrow (BM) where LLPCs reside. Whether these differences have an effect on the function of the immune system, and in particular on LLPCs, are still unknown. In this review, we will briefly discuss current knowledge of LLPCs, comparing mice and humans.
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Plasmócitos/citologia , Plasmócitos/imunologia , Adiposidade/fisiologia , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/uso terapêutico , Medula Óssea/imunologia , Centro Germinativo/imunologia , Humanos , Interleucina-5/fisiologia , Interleucina-6/fisiologia , Longevidade/fisiologia , Camundongos , Receptores de Superfície Celular , Fatores de TranscriçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) preferentially affects women, with the peak incidence coinciding with estrogen decrease in menopause. Estrogen (E2) may therefore have intrinsic immune-regulatory properties that vanish with menopause. Fc sialylation is a crucial factor determining the inflammatory effector function of antibodies. We therefore analyzed whether E2 affects immunoglobulin G (IgG) sialylation. METHODS: Postmenopausal (ovariectomized) mice were immunized with ovalbumin and treated with E2 or vehicle. Total and ovalbumin-specific IgG concentrations, sialylation, and Fcγ receptor expression were analyzed. Postmenopausal women with RA receiving hormone replacement therapy, including E2, or no treatment were analyzed for IgG sialylation. Furthermore, effects of E2 on the expression of the sialylation enzyme ß-galactoside α2,6-sialyltransferase 1 (St6Gal1) were studied in mouse and human antibody-producing cells. RESULTS: E2 treatment significantly increased Fc sialylation of total and ovalbumin-specific IgG in postmenopausal mice. Furthermore, E2 led to increased expression of inhibitory Fcγ receptor IIb on bone marrow leukocytes. Treatment with E2 also increased St6Gal1 expression in mouse and human antibody-producing cells, providing a mechanistic explanation for the increase in IgG-Fc sialylation. In postmenopausal women with RA, treatment with E2 significantly increased the Fc sialylation of IgG. CONCLUSIONS: E2 induces anti-inflammatory effector functions in IgG by inducing St6Gal1 expression in antibody-producing cells and by increasing Fc sialylation. These observations provide a mechanistic explanation for the increased risk of RA in conditions with low estrogen levels such as menopause.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide/metabolismo , Estrogênios/farmacologia , Imunoglobulina G/metabolismo , Pós-Menopausa , Sialiltransferases/metabolismo , Animais , Artrite Reumatoide/genética , Linfócitos B/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Terapia de Reposição de Estrogênios/métodos , Estrogênios/uso terapêutico , Feminino , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ovalbumina/imunologia , Ovariectomia , Receptores de IgG/metabolismo , Ácidos Siálicos/metabolismo , Sialiltransferases/genética , beta-D-Galactosídeo alfa 2-6-SialiltransferaseRESUMO
Testosterone deficiency in men is associated with increased risk for autoimmunity and increased B cell numbers through unknown mechanisms. Here we show that testosterone regulates the cytokine BAFF, an essential survival factor for B cells. Male mice lacking the androgen receptor have increased splenic B cell numbers, serum BAFF levels and splenic Baff mRNA. Testosterone deficiency by castration causes expansion of BAFF-producing fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) in spleen, which may be coupled to lower splenic noradrenaline levels in castrated males, as an α-adrenergic agonist decreases splenic FRC number in vitro. Antibody-mediated blockade of the BAFF receptor or treatment with the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine revert the increased splenic B cell numbers induced by castration. Among healthy men, serum BAFF levels are higher in men with low testosterone. Our study uncovers a previously unrecognized regulation of BAFF by testosterone and raises important questions about BAFF in testosterone-mediated protection against autoimmunity.
Assuntos
Doenças Autoimunes/metabolismo , Fator Ativador de Células B/imunologia , Fator Ativador de Células B/metabolismo , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Testosterona/metabolismo , Agonistas alfa-Adrenérgicos/farmacologia , Animais , Doenças Autoimunes/imunologia , Fator Ativador de Células B/sangue , Receptor do Fator Ativador de Células B/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor do Fator Ativador de Células B/metabolismo , Linfócitos B/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Castração , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Modelos Animais , Norepinefrina/metabolismo , Oxidopamina/farmacologia , Receptores Androgênicos/genética , Receptores Androgênicos/metabolismo , Baço/citologia , Baço/efeitos dos fármacos , Baço/imunologia , Testosterona/sangue , Testosterona/deficiência , Testosterona/imunologiaRESUMO
Age-associated B cells (ABCs) represent a distinct cell population expressing low levels of CD21 (CD21-/low ). The Ig repertoire expressed by ABCs in aged mice is diverse and exhibits signs of somatic hypermutation (SHM). A CD21-/low B-cell population is expanded in autoimmune diseases, e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as in lupus-prone NZB/W mice and in mice lacking a pre-B cell receptor (SLC-/- ). However, the nature of the CD21-/low B cells (hereafter ABCs) in autoimmunity is not well understood. Here we show that in young SLC-/- mice, the vast majority of the ABCs express memory B-cell (MBC) markers in contrast to wild-type controls. A similar population is present in lupus-prone MRL mice before and at disease onset. In SLC-/- mice, a majority of the ABCs are IgM+ , their VH genes have undergone SHM, show clonal diversification and clonal restriction at the H-CDR3 level. ABC hybridomas, established from SLC-/- mice, secrete typical lupus autoantibodies, e.g. anti-Smith antigen, and some of those that bind to DNA comprise a H-CDR3 that is identical to previously described IgM anti-DNA antibodies from lupus-prone mice. Together, these results reveal that ABCs in autoimmune mice are comprised of autoreactive MBCs expressing highly restricted H-CDR3 repertoires.