Identification of TFG- and Autophagy-Regulated Proteins and Glycerophospholipids in B Cells.

Autophagy supervises the proteostasis and survival of B lymphocytic cells. Trk-fused gene (TFG) promotes autophagosome-lysosome flux in murine CH12 B cells, as well as their survival. Hence, quantitative proteomics of CH12tfgKO and WT B cells in combination with lysosomal inhibition should identify proteins that are prone to lysosomal degradation and contribute to autophagy and B cell survival. Lysosome inhibition via NH4Cl unexpectedly reduced a number of proteins but increased a large cluster of translational, ribosomal, and mitochondrial proteins, independent of TFG. Hence, we propose a role for lysosomes in ribophagy in B cells. TFG-regulated proteins include CD74, BCL10, or the immunoglobulin JCHAIN. Gene ontology (GO) analysis reveals that proteins regulated by TFG alone, or in concert with lysosomes, localize to mitochondria and membrane-bound organelles. Likewise, TFG regulates the abundance of metabolic enzymes, such as ALDOC and the fatty acid-activating enzyme ACOT9. To test consequently for a function of TFG in lipid metabolism, we performed shotgun lipidomics of glycerophospholipids. Total phosphatidylglycerol is more abundant in CH12tfgKO B cells. Several glycerophospholipid species with similar acyl side chains, such as 36:2 phosphatidylethanolamine and 36:2 phosphatidylinositol, show a dysequilibrium. We suggest a role for TFG in lipid homeostasis, mitochondrial functions, translation, and metabolism in B cells.

A pair of noncompeting neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies protecting from disease in a SARS-CoV-2 infection model.

TRIANNI mice carry an entire set of human immunoglobulin V region gene segments and are a powerful tool to rapidly isolate human monoclonal antibodies. After immunizing these mice with DNA encoding the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and boosting with spike protein, we identified 29 hybridoma antibodies that reacted with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Nine antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection at IC50 values in the subnanomolar range. ELISA-binding studies and DNA sequence analyses revealed one cluster of three clonally related neutralizing antibodies that target the receptor-binding domain and compete with the cellular receptor hACE2. A second cluster of six clonally related neutralizing antibodies bind to the N-terminal domain of the spike protein without competing with the binding of hACE2 or cluster 1 antibodies. SARS-CoV-2 mutants selected for resistance to an antibody from one cluster are still neutralized by an antibody from the other cluster. Antibodies from both clusters markedly reduced viral spread in mice transgenic for human ACE2 and protected the animals from SARS-CoV-2-induced weight loss. The two clusters of potent noncompeting SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies provide potential candidates for therapy and prophylaxis of COVID-19. The study further supports transgenic animals with a human immunoglobulin gene repertoire as a powerful platform in pandemic preparedness initiatives.

A surrogate cell-based SARS-CoV-2 spike blocking assay.

To monitor infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and successful vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the kinetics of neutralizing or blocking anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers need to be assessed. Here, we report the development of a quick and inexpensive surrogate SARS-CoV-2 blocking assay (SUBA) using immobilized recombinant human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) and human cells expressing the native form of surface SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Spike protein-expressing cells bound to hACE2 in the absence or presence of blocking antibodies were quantified by measuring the optical density of cell-associated crystal violet in a spectrophotometer. The advantages are that SUBA is a fast and inexpensive assay, which does not require biosafety level 2- or 3-approved laboratories. Most importantly, SUBA detects blocking antibodies against the native trimeric cell-bound SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and can be rapidly adjusted to quickly pre-screen already approved therapeutic antibodies or sera from vaccinated individuals for their ACE2 blocking activities against any emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Immunisation with Coronavirus-2 vaccines induces potent antibody responses and does not aggravate the lymphocyte compartment of primary Sjögren's syndrome patients.

OBJECTIVES: The peripheral lymphocyte compartment of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) differs strongly from healthy individuals. Whether this altered lymphocyte composition also changes abnormally during immune reactions, especially by novel CoV-2-vaccines, is unknown. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 26 pSS patients and 6 healthy controls were compared before Coronavirus-2 (CoV-2) vaccination (Pfizer/BNT162b2, Moderna/mRNA-1273, AstraZeneca/AZD122 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) and 7 days after secondary vaccination. Spike 1 (S1)-receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific IgG antibodies were measured in serum samples. Among PBMCs, B and T cell subpopulations were phenotypically analysed and RBD-specific B and plasma cells were evaluated. RESULTS: Immunisation induced CoV-2 specific serum antibodies in all pSS patients and healthy participants. When analysing pSS patients and controls together, frequencies of circulating IgG+ RBD-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC) and anti-RBD serum titres correlated (r=0.42, p=0.022). Previously described alterations of peripheral B cells in pSS patients (e.g. reduced memory B cells, increased naive and transitional B cells and higher maturity of ASCs) remained stable during vaccination. The subset distribution of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells also stayed largely unchanged. However, frequencies of CD4+CXCR5-PD-1+ circulating peripheral helper T (cTPH)-like cells increased in pSS patients comparing pre- and post-vaccination (p=0.020), while circulating CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ follicular helper T (cTFH)-like cells declined (p=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: An immune reaction induced by vaccination with the novel CoV-2 vaccines yields adequate antibody production and vaccine specific lymphocytes in pSS patients and controls. Aberrant lymphocyte subset distribution in pSS patients persisted after vaccination and no major changes were induced despite small changes in cTPH and cTFH cells.

Targeting plasma cells in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases - Promises and pitfalls.

Plasma cells are the antibody secretors of the immune system. Continuous antibody secretion over years can provide long-term immune protection but could also be held responsible for long-lasting autoimmunity in case of self-reactive plasma cells. Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) affect multiple organ systems and are associated with a plethora of different autoantibodies. Two prototypic systemic ARDs are systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's disease (SjD). Both diseases are characterized by B-cell hyperactivity and the production of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens. Analogues to other immune cells, different subsets of plasma cells have been described. Plasma cell subsets are often defined dependent on their current state of maturation, that also depend on the precursor B-cell subset from which they derived. But, a universal definition of plasma cell subsets is not available so far. Furthermore, the ability for long-term survival and effector functions may differ, potentially in a disease-specific manner. Characterization of plasma cell subsets and their specificity in individual patients can help to choose a suitable targeting approach for either a broad or more selective plasma cell depletion. Targeting plasma cells in systemic ARDs is currently challenging because of side effects or varying depletion efficacies in the tissue. Recent developments, however, like antigen-specific targeting and CAR-T-cell therapy might open up major benefits for patients beyond current treatment options.

Association of Circulating Antibody-Secreting Cell Maturity With Disease Features in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: B cell hyperactivity plays an important role in primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). We undertook this study to better understand the B cell effector branch, namely antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) in primary SS, and to examine the quantity, maturity, and inflammatory properties of ASCs in primary SS patients. METHODS: Circulating ASCs, defined as CD3-CD14-CD27+CD38++ cells, from 21 primary SS patients and 10 healthy controls were assessed using spectral flow cytometry. Expression levels of relevant ASC markers relating to maturity, survival, and inflammatory status were analyzed using a t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding approach. Correlation of ASC properties with primary SS disease parameters was assessed. RESULTS: ASCs were more abundant in peripheral blood from primary SS patients than from healthy controls (mean ± SD 3.1 ± 5.1 cells/µl versus 1.1 ± 1.0 cells/µl, respectively; P = 0.048) and displayed a more mature phenotype (mean ± SD CD19- ASCs 0.37 ± 1.21 cells/µl versus 0.06 ± 0.11 cells/µl, respectively; P = 0.005). An inflammatory CXCR3+ phenotype of ASCs correlated positively with our newly developed ASC maturity index (r = 0.568, P = 0.007) but correlated negatively with antiinflammatory interleukin-10 expression (r = -0.769, P < 0.001). ASCs with a higher maturity index also demonstrated higher levels of the pro-survival protein myeloid cell leukemia 1 (r = 0.567, P = 0.007). Frequency and/or maturity of ASCs correlated with several primary SS disease parameters, such as antinuclear antibody and anti-La/SSB titers, salivary gland focus scores, and ocular staining scores. CONCLUSION: Quantity and maturity of ASCs in primary SS patients are increased and correlate with disease parameters. A higher maturity index of ASCs marks a pro-survival and proinflammatory phenotype. Altogether, B cell hyperactivity in primary SS extends to the peripheral ASC compartment, raising potential for ASCs as future biomarkers or targets for primary SS treatment.

Krüppel-like factor 2 controls IgA plasma cell compartmentalization and IgA responses.

Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is a potent regulator of lymphocyte differentiation, activation and migration. However, its functional role in adaptive and humoral immunity remains elusive. Therefore, by using mice with a B cell-specific deletion of KLF2, we investigated plasma cell differentiation and antibody responses. We revealed that the deletion of KLF2 resulted in perturbed IgA plasma cell compartmentalization, characterized by the absence of IgA plasma cells in the bone marrow, their reductions in the spleen, the blood and the lamina propria of the colon and the small intestine, concomitant with their accumulation and retention in mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. Most intriguingly, secretory IgA in the intestinal lumen was almost absent, dimeric serum IgA was drastically reduced and antigen-specific IgA responses to soluble Salmonella flagellin were blunted in KLF2-deficient mice. Perturbance of IgA plasma cell localization was caused by deregulation of CCR9, Integrin chains αM, α4, ß7, and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors. Hence, KLF2 not only orchestrates the localization of IgA plasma cells by fine-tuning chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules but also controls IgA responses to Salmonella flagellin.

Mitochondrial respiration in B lymphocytes is essential for humoral immunity by controlling the flux of the TCA cycle.

To elucidate the function of oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) during B cell differentiation, we employ CD23Cre-driven expression of the dominant-negative K320E mutant of the mitochondrial helicase Twinkle (DNT). DNT-expression depletes mitochondrial DNA during B cell maturation, reduces the abundance of respiratory chain protein subunits encoded by mitochondrial DNA, and, consequently, respiratory chain super-complexes in activated B cells. Whereas B cell development in DNT mice is normal, B cell proliferation, germinal centers, class switch to IgG, plasma cell maturation, and T cell-dependent as well as T cell-independent humoral immunity are diminished. DNT expression dampens OxPhos but increases glycolysis in lipopolysaccharide and B cell receptor-activated cells. Lipopolysaccharide-activated DNT-B cells exhibit altered metabolites of glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle and a lower amount of phosphatidic acid. Consequently, mTORC1 activity and BLIMP1 induction are curtailed, whereas HIF1α is stabilized. Hence, mitochondrial DNA controls the metabolism of activated B cells via OxPhos to foster humoral immunity.

TFG is required for autophagy flux and to prevent endoplasmic reticulum stress in CH12 B lymphoma cells.

Plasma cells depend on quality control of newly synthesized antibodies in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via macroautophagy/autophagy and proteasomal degradation. The cytosolic adaptor protein TFG (Trk-fused gene) regulates ER-Golgi transport, the secretory pathway and proteasome activity in non-immune cells. We show here that TFG is upregulated during lipopolysaccharide- and CpG-induced differentiation of B1 and B2 B cells into plasmablasts, with the highest expression of TFG in mature plasma cells. CRISPR-CAS9-mediated gene disruption of tfg in the B lymphoma cell line CH12 revealed increased apoptosis, which was reverted by BCL2 but even more by ectopic TFG expression. Loss of TFG disrupted ER structure, leading to an expanded ER and increased expression of ER stress genes. When compared to wild-type CH12 cells, tfg KO CH12 cells were more sensitive toward ER stress induced by tunicamycin, monensin and proteasome inhibition or by expression of an ER-bound immunoglobulin (Ig) µ heavy (µH) chain. CH12 tfg KO B cells displayed more total LC3, lower LC3-II turnover and increased numbers and size of autophagosomes. Tandem-fluorescent-LC3 revealed less accumulation of GFP-LC3 in starved and chloroquine-treated CH12 tfg KO B cells. The GFP:RFP ratio of tandem-fluorescent-LC3 was higher in tunicamycin-treated CH12 tfg KO B cells, suggesting less autophagy flux during induced ER stress. Based on these data, we suggest that TFG controls autophagy flux in CH12 B cells and propose that TFG is a survival factor that alleviates ER stress through the support of autophagy flux in activated B cells and mature plasma cells.Abbreviations: Ab, antibody; Ag, antigen; ASC, antibody-secreting cells; ATG, autophagy-related; BCR, B cell receptor; COPII, coat protein complex II; CpG, non-methylated CpG oligonucleotide; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; ERAD, ER-associated degradation; FO, follicular; GFP, green fluorescent protein; HC, heavy chain; Ig, immunoglobulin; IRES, internal ribosomal entry site; LC, light chain; MZ, marginal zone; NFKB, nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells; TLR, toll-like receptor; UPR, unfolded protein response.

B Cell Speed and B-FDC Contacts in Germinal Centers Determine Plasma Cell Output via Swiprosin-1/EFhd2.

Plasma cells secreting affinity-matured antibodies develop in germinal centers (GCs), where B cells migrate persistently and directionally over defined periods of time. How modes of GC B cell migration influence plasma cell development remained unclear. Through genetic deletion of the F-actin bundling protein Swiprosin-1/EF-hand domain family member 2 (EFhd2) and by two-photon microscopy, we show that EFhd2 restrains B cell speed in GCs and hapten-specific plasma cell output. Modeling the GC reaction reveals that increasing GC B cell speed promotes plasma cell generation. Lack of EFhd2 also reduces contacts of GC B cells with follicular dendritic cells in vivo. Computational modeling uncovers that both GC output and antibody affinity depend quantitatively on contacts of GC B cells with follicular dendritic cells when B cells migrate more persistently. Collectively, our data explain how GC B cells integrate speed and persistence of cell migration with B cell receptor affinity.

A defined metabolic state in pre B cells governs B-cell development and is counterbalanced by Swiprosin-2/EFhd1.

B-cell development in the bone marrow comprises proliferative and resting phases in different niches. We asked whether B-cell metabolism relates to these changes. Compared to pro B and small pre B cells, large pre B cells revealed the highest glucose uptake and ROS but not mitochondrial mass, whereas small pre B cells exhibited the lowest mitochondrial membrane potential. Small pre B cells from Rag1-/-;33.C9 µ heavy chain knock-in mice revealed decreased glycolysis (ECAR) and mitochondrial spare capacity compared to pro B cells from Rag1-/- mice. We were interested in the step regulating this metabolic switch from pro to pre B cells and uncovered that Swiprosin-2/EFhd1, a Ca2+-binding protein of the inner mitochondrial membrane involved in Ca2+-induced mitoflashes, is expressed in pro B cells, but downregulated by surface pre B-cell receptor expression. Knockdown and knockout of EFhd1 in 38B9 pro B cells decreased the oxidative phosphorylation/glycolysis (OCR/ECAR) ratio by increasing glycolysis, glycolytic capacity and reserve. Prolonged expression of EFhd1 in EFhd1 transgenic mice beyond the pro B cell stage increased expression of the mitochondrial co-activator PGC-1α in primary pre B cells, but reduced mitochondrial ATP production at the pro to pre B cell transition in IL-7 cultures. Transgenic EFhd1 expression caused a B-cell intrinsic developmental disadvantage for pro and pre B cells. Hence, coordinated expression of EFhd1 in pro B cells and by the pre BCR regulates metabolic changes and pro/pre B-cell development.