B Cells Are the Dominant Antigen-Presenting Cells that Activate Naive CD4+ T Cells upon Immunization with a Virus-Derived Nanoparticle Antigen.

B cells can present antigens to CD4+ T cells, but it is thought that dendritic cells (DCs) are the primary initiators of naive CD4+ T cell responses. Nanoparticles, including virus-like particles (VLPs), are attractive candidates as carriers for vaccines and drug delivery. Using RNA phage Qß-derived VLP (Qß-VLP) as a model antigen, we found that antigen-specific B cells were the dominant antigen-presenting cells that initiated naive CD4+ T cell activation. B cells were sufficient to induce T follicular helper cell development in the absence of DCs. Qß-specific B cells promoted CD4+ T cell proliferation and differentiation via cognate interactions and through Toll-like receptor signaling-mediated cytokine production. Antigen-specific B cells were also involved in initiating CD4+ T cell responses during immunization with inactivated influenza virus. These findings have implications for the rational design of nanoparticles as vaccine candidates, particularly for therapeutic vaccines that aim to break immune tolerance.

Homeostatic regulation of T follicular helper and antibody response to particle antigens by IL-1Ra of medullary sinus macrophage origin.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines are composed of surface antigen HBsAg that spontaneously assembles into subviral particles. Factors that impede its humoral immunity in 5% to 10% of vaccinees remain elusive. Here, we showed that the low-level interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) can predict antibody protection both in mice and humans. Mechanistically, murine IL-1Ra-inhibited T follicular helper (Tfh) cell expansion and subsequent germinal center (GC)-dependent humoral immunity, resulting in significantly weakened protection against the HBV challenge. Compared to soluble antigens, HBsAg particle antigen displayed a unique capture/uptake and innate immune activation, including IL-1Ra expression, preferably of medullary sinus macrophages. In humans, a unique polymorphism in the RelA/p65 binding site of IL-1Ra enhancer associated IL-1Ra levels with ethnicity-dependent vaccination outcome. Therefore, the differential IL-1Ra response to particle antigens probably creates a suppressive milieu for Tfh/GC development, and neutralization of IL-1Ra would resurrect antibody response in HBV vaccine nonresponders.

The role of B cell antigen presentation in the initiation of CD4+ T cell response.

B cells have been known for their ability to present antigens to T cells for almost 40 years. However, the precise roles of B cell antigen presentation in various immune responses are not completely understood. The term "professional" antigen-presenting cells (APCs) was proposed to distinguish APCs that are required for initiating the immune responses from those use antigen presentation to enhance their own effector functions. Unlike dendritic cells, which are defined as professional APCs for their well-established functions in activating naive T cells, B cells have been shown in the past to mostly present antigens to activated CD4+ T cells mainly to seek help from T helper cells. However, recent evidence suggested that B cells can act as professional APCs under infectious conditions or conditions mimicking viral infections. B cell antigen receptors (BCRs) and the innate receptor Toll-like receptors are activated synergistically in response to pathogens or virus-like particles, under which conditions B cells are not only potent but also the predominant APCs to turn naive CD4+ T cells into T follicular helper cells. The discovery of B cells as professional APCs to initiate CD4+ T cell response provides a new insight for both autoimmune diseases and vaccine development.

B Cell-Intrinsic MyD88 Signaling Promotes Initial Cell Proliferation and Differentiation To Enhance the Germinal Center Response to a Virus-like Particle.

Although TLR signaling in B cells has been implicated in the germinal center (GC) responses during viral infections and autoimmune diseases, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Bacterial phage Qß-derived virus-like particle (Qß-VLP) contains TLR ligands, which can enhance Qß-VLP-induced Ab response, including GC response, through TLR/MyD88 signaling in B cells. In this study, by examining Ag-specific B cell response to Qß-VLP, we found that lack of B cell MyD88 from the beginning of the immune response led to a more severe defect in the GC scale than abolishing MyD88 at later time points of the immune response. Consistently, B cell-intrinsic MyD88 signaling significantly enhanced the initial proliferation of Ag-specific B cells, which was accompanied with a dramatic increase of plasma cell generation and induction of Bcl-6+ GC B cell precursors. In addition, B cell-intrinsic MyD88 signaling promoted strong T-bet expression independent of IFN-γ and led to the preferential isotype switching to IgG2a/c. Thus, by promoting the initial Ag-specific B cell proliferation and differentiation, B cell-intrinsic MyD88 signaling enhanced both T-independent and T-dependent Ab responses elicited by Qß-VLP. This finding will provide additional insight into the role of TLR signaling in antiviral immunity, autoimmune diseases, and vaccine design.

Characterization of T-Dependent and T-Independent B Cell Responses to a Virus-like Particle.

Natural pathogens, such as viruses, often induce T-dependent and T-independent Ab responses. However, the activation and differentiation of Ag-specific B cells under these conditions had not been examined in detail. In this study, we used bacterial phage Qß-derived virus-like particles (Qß-VLPs) as an immunogen to examine the T-independent and T-dependent phases of the response in mice. Using Qß-specific cell labeling and enrichment methods developed in this study, we were able to characterize the rare Ag-specific B cells in detail. Surprisingly, we found that Qß-VLPs could induce Bcl-6 expression in pregerminal center B cells independently of T cell help. In addition, Qß-VLP-induced T-independent responses could lead to isotype-switched and somatically mutated memory B cells. Finally, in contrast to what has been reported with several other Ags, long-lived IgG+ memory cells were induced by Qß-VLPs, with IgM+ memory B cells being produced but only evident for a limited time, suggesting that different types of immunogens may preferentially generate or maintain IgM+ versus IgG+ memory B cells.

Requirement for MyD88 signaling in B cells and dendritic cells for germinal center anti-nuclear antibody production in Lyn-deficient mice.

The intracellular tyrosine kinase Lyn mediates inhibitory receptor function in B cells and myeloid cells, and Lyn(-/-) mice spontaneously develop an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that closely resembles human systemic lupus erythematosus. TLR-signaling pathways have been implicated in the production of anti-nuclear Abs in systemic lupus erythematosus and mouse models of it. We used a conditional allele of Myd88 to determine whether the autoimmunity of Lyn(-/-) mice is dependent on TLR/MyD88 signaling in B cells and/or in dendritic cells (DCs). The production of IgG anti-nuclear Abs, as well as the deposition of these Abs in the glomeruli of the kidneys, leading to glomerulonephritis in Lyn(-/-) mice, were completely abolished by selective deletion of Myd88 in B cells, and autoantibody production and glomerulonephritis were delayed or decreased by deletion of Myd88 in DCs. The reduced autoantibody production in mice lacking MyD88 in B cells or DCs was accompanied by a dramatic decrease in the spontaneous germinal center (GC) response, suggesting that autoantibodies in Lyn(-/-) mice may depend on GC responses. Consistent with this view, IgG anti-nuclear Abs were absent if T cells were deleted (TCRß(-/-) TCRδ(-/-) mice) or if T cells were unable to contribute to GC responses as the result of mutation of the adaptor molecule SAP. Thus, the autoimmunity of Lyn(-/-) mice was dependent on T cells and on TLR/MyD88 signaling in B cells and in DCs, supporting a model in which DC hyperactivity combines with defects in tolerance in B cells to lead to a T cell-dependent systemic autoimmunity in Lyn(-/-) mice.

Spinodal Zr-Nb alloys with ultrahigh elastic admissible strain and low magnetic susceptibility for orthopedic applications.

Metallic biomaterials, such as stainless steels, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloys, and titanium (Ti) alloys, have long been used as load-bearing implant materials due to their metallic mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, their magnetic susceptibility and elastic modulus of more than 100 GPa significantly restrict their therapeutic applicability. In this study, spinodal Zr60Nb40, Zr50Nb50, and Zr40Nb60 (at.%) alloys were selected from the miscibility gap based on the Zr-Nb binary phase diagram and prepared by casting, cold rolling, and aging. Their microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, magnetic susceptibility, and biocompatibility were systematically evaluated. Spinodal decomposition to alternating nanoscale Zr-rich ß1 and Nb-rich ß2 phases occurred in the cold-rolled Zr-Nb alloys during aging treatment at 650 °C. In addition, a minor amount of α phase was precipitated in Zr60Nb40 due to the thermodynamic instability of the Zr-rich ß1 phase. Spinodal decomposition significantly improved the mechanical strength of the alloys due to nanosized dual-cubic reinforcement. The Zr-Nb alloys showed an electrochemical corrosion rate of 94-262 nm per year in Hanks' solution because of formation of dense passive films composed of ZrO2 and Nb2O5 during the polarization process. The magnetic susceptibilities of the Zr-Nb alloys were significantly lower than those of commercial Co-Cr-Mo and Ti alloys. The cell viability of the Zr-Nb alloys was more than 98 % toward MC3T3-E1 cells. Overall, the spinodal Zr-Nb alloys have enormous potential as bone-implant materials due to their outstanding overall mechanical properties, extraordinary corrosion resistance, low magnetic susceptibility, and sufficient bicompatibility. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This work reports on spinodal Zr-Nb alloys with heterostructure. Spinodal decomposition significantly improved their mechanical strength due to the nanosized dual-cubic reinforcement. The Zr-Nb alloys showed large corrosion resistance in Hanks' solution because of formation of dense passivation films composed of ZrO2 and Nb2O5 during the polarization process. The magnetic susceptibilities of the Zr-Nb alloys were significantly lower than those of commercial Co-Cr-Mo and Ti alloys. The cell viability of the Zr-Nb alloys was more than 98 % toward MC3T3-E1 cells. The results demonstrate that spinodal Zr-Nb alloys have enormous potential as bone-implant materials due to their outstanding overall mechanical properties, high corrosion resistance, low magnetic susceptibility, and sufficient biocompatibility.

Antiviral memory B cells exhibit enhanced innate immune response facilitated by epigenetic memory.

The long-lasting humoral immunity induced by viral infections or vaccinations depends on memory B cells with greatly increased affinity to viral antigens, which are evolved from germinal center (GC) responses. However, it is unclear whether antiviral memory B cells represent a distinct subset among the highly heterogeneous memory B cell population. Here, we examined memory B cells induced by a virus-mimicking antigen at both transcriptome and epigenetic levels and found unexpectedly that antiviral memory B cells exhibit an enhanced innate immune response, which appeared to be facilitated by the epigenetic memory that is established through the memory B cell development. In addition, T-bet is associated with the altered chromatin architecture and is required for the formation of the antiviral memory B cells. Thus, antiviral memory B cells are distinct from other GC-derived memory B cells in both physiological functions and epigenetic landmarks.

Activated PI3Kδ signals compromise plasma cell survival via limiting autophagy and increasing ER stress.

While phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) plays a critical role in humoral immunity, the requirement for PI3Kδ signaling in plasma cells remains poorly understood. Here, we used a conditional mouse model of activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS), to interrogate the function of PI3Kδ in plasma cell biology. Mice expressing a PIK3CD gain-of-function mutation (aPIK3CD) in B cells generated increased numbers of memory B cells and mounted an enhanced secondary response but exhibited a rapid decay of antibody levels over time. Consistent with these findings, aPIK3CD expression markedly impaired plasma cell generation, and expression of aPIK3CD intrinsically in plasma cells was sufficient to diminish humoral responses. Mechanistically, aPIK3CD disrupted ER proteostasis and autophagy, which led to increased plasma cell death. Notably, this defect was driven primarily by elevated mTORC1 signaling and modulated by treatment with PI3Kδ-specific inhibitors. Our findings establish an essential role for PI3Kδ in plasma cell homeostasis and suggest that modulating PI3Kδ activity may be useful for promoting and/or thwarting specific immune responses.

A pathogen-like antigen-based vaccine confers immune protection against SARS-CoV-2 in non-human primates.

Activation of nucleic acid sensing Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in B cells is involved in antiviral responses by promoting B cell activation and germinal center responses. In order to take advantage of this natural pathway for vaccine development, synthetic pathogen-like antigens (PLAs) constructed of multivalent antigens with encapsulated TLR ligands can be used to activate B cell antigen receptors and TLRs in a synergistic manner. Here we report a PLA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidate designed by combining a phage-derived virus-like particle carrying bacterial RNA as TLR ligands with the receptor-binding domain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) S protein as the target antigen. This PLA-based vaccine candidate induces robust neutralizing antibodies in both mice and non-human primates (NHPs). Using a NHP infection model, we demonstrate that the viral clearance is accelerated in vaccinated animals. In addition, the PLA-based vaccine induces a T helper 1 (Th1)-oriented response and a durable memory, supporting its potential for further clinical development.

Distinct endocytic pathways control the rate and extent of synaptic vesicle protein recycling.

Synaptic vesicles have been proposed to form through two mechanisms: one directly from the plasma membrane involving clathrin-dependent endocytosis and the adaptor protein AP2, and the other from an endosomal intermediate mediated by the adaptor AP3. However, the relative role of these two mechanisms in synaptic vesicle recycling has remained unclear. We now find that vesicular glutamate transporter VGLUT1 interacts directly with endophilin, a component of the clathrin-dependent endocytic machinery. In the absence of its interaction with endophilin, VGLUT1 recycles more slowly during prolonged, high-frequency stimulation. Inhibition of the AP3 pathway with brefeldin A rescues the rate of recycling, suggesting a competition between AP2 and -3 pathways, with endophilin recruiting VGLUT1 toward the faster AP2 pathway. After stimulation, however, inhibition of the AP3 pathway prevents the full recovery of VGLUT1 by endocytosis, implicating the AP3 pathway specifically in compensatory endocytosis.

Yeast P4-ATPases Drs2p and Dnf1p are essential cargos of the NPFXD/Sla1p endocytic pathway.

Drs2p family P-type ATPases (P4-ATPases) are required in multiple vesicle-mediated protein transport steps and are proposed to be phospholipid translocases (flippases). The P4-ATPases Drs2p and Dnf1p cycle between the exocytic and endocytic pathways, and here we define endocytosis signals required by these proteins to maintain a steady-state localization to internal organelles. Internalization of Dnf1p from the plasma membrane uses an NPFXD endocytosis signal and its recognition by Sla1p, part of an endocytic coat/adaptor complex with clathrin, Pan1p, Sla2p/End4p, and End3p. Drs2p has multiple endocytosis signals, including two NPFXDs near the C terminus and PEST-like sequences near the N terminus that may mediate ubiquitin (Ub)-dependent endocytosis. Drs2p localizes to the trans-Golgi network in wild-type cells and accumulates on the plasma membrane when both the Ub- and NPFXD-dependent endocytic mechanisms are inactivated. Surprisingly, the pan1-20 temperature-sensitive mutant is constitutively defective for Ub-dependent endocytosis but is not defective for NPFXD-dependent endocytosis at the permissive growth temperature. To sustain viability of pan1-20, Drs2p must be endocytosed through the NPFXD/Sla1p pathway. Thus, Drs2p is an essential endocytic cargo in cells compromised for Ub-dependent endocytosis. These results demonstrate an essential role for endocytosis in retrieving proteins back to the Golgi, and they define critical cargos of the NPFXD/Sla1p system.

Vesicular glutamate transporter 1 is required for photoreceptor synaptic signaling but not for intrinsic visual functions.

Glutamatergic neurotransmission requires vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) to sequester glutamate into synaptic vesicles. Generally, VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 isoforms show complementary expression in the CNS and retina. However, little is known about whether isoform-specific expression serves distinct pathways and physiological functions. Here, by examining visual functions in VGLUT1-null mice, we demonstrate that visual signaling from photoreceptors to retinal output neurons requires VGLUT1. However, photoentrainment and pupillary light responses are preserved. We provide evidence that melanopsin-containing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), signaling via VGLUT2 pathways, support these non-image-forming functions. We conclude that VGLUT1 is essential for transmitting visual signals from photoreceptors to second- and third-order neurons, but VGLUT1 is not necessary for intrinsic visual functions. Furthermore, melanopsin and VGLUT2 expression in a subset of RGCs immediately after birth strongly supports the idea that intrinsic vision can function well before rod- and cone-mediated signaling has matured.

Drs2p-dependent formation of exocytic clathrin-coated vesicles in vivo.

The small GTP binding protein ARF has been implicated in budding clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) from Golgi and endosomal membranes. An arf1 synthetic lethal screen identified DRS2/SWA3 along with a clathrin heavy-chain conditional allele (chc1-5/swa5-1) and SWA2, encoding the yeast auxilin-like protein involved in uncoating CCVs. Drs2p/Swa3p is a P-type ATPase and a potential aminophospholipid translocase that localizes to the trans-Golgi network (TGN) in yeast. Genetic and phenotypic analyses of drs2Delta mutants suggested that Drs2p was required for clathrin function. To address a potential role for Drs2p in CCV formation from the TGN in vivo, we have performed epistasis analyses between drs2 and mutations that cause accumulation of distinct populations of post-Golgi vesicles. We find that Drs2p is required to form a specific class of secretory vesicles that accumulate when the actin cytoskeleton is disrupted. Accumulation of these vesicles also requires clathrin and is perturbed by mutation of AP-1, but not AP-2, AP-3, or GGA adaptins. Most of the accumulated vesicles are uncoated; however, clathrin coats can be partially stabilized on these vesicles by deletion of SWA2. These data provide the first in vivo evidence for an integral membrane protein requirement in forming CCVs.

An essential subfamily of Drs2p-related P-type ATPases is required for protein trafficking between Golgi complex and endosomal/vacuolar system.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome contains five genes encoding P-type ATPases that are potential aminophospholipid translocases (APTs): DRS2, NEO1, and three uncharacterized open reading frames that we have named DNF1, DNF2, and DNF3 for DRS2/NEO1 family. NEO1 is the only essential gene in APT family and seems to be functionally distinct from the DRS2/DNF genes. The drs2Delta dnf1Delta dnf2Delta dnf3Delta quadruple mutant is inviable, although any one member of this group can maintain viability, indicating that there is a substantial functional overlap between the encoded proteins. We have previously implicated Drs2p in clathrin function at the trans-Golgi network. In this study, we constructed strains carrying all possible viable combinations of null alleles from this group and analyzed them for defects in protein transport. The drs2Delta dnf1Delta mutant grows slowly, massively accumulates intracellular membranes, and exhibits a substantial defect in the transport of alkaline phosphatase to the vacuole. Transport of carboxypeptidase Y to the vacuole is also perturbed, but to a lesser extent. In addition, the dnf1Delta dnf2Delta dnf3Delta mutant exhibits a defect in recycling of GFP-Snc1p in the early endocytic-late secretory pathways. Drs2p and Dnf3p colocalize with the trans-Golgi network marker Kex2p, whereas Dnf1p and Dnf2p seem to localize to the plasma membrane and late exocytic or early endocytic membranes. We propose that eukaryotes express multiple APT subfamily members to facilitate protein transport in multiple pathways.

Requirement for neo1p in retrograde transport from the Golgi complex to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Neo1p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an essential P-type ATPase and potential aminophospholipid translocase (flippase) in the Drs2p family. We have previously implicated Drs2p in protein transport steps in the late secretory pathway requiring ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) and clathrin. Here, we present evidence that epitope-tagged Neo1p localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi complex and is required for a retrograde transport pathway between these organelles. Using conditional alleles of NEO1, we find that loss of Neo1p function causes cargo-specific defects in anterograde protein transport early in the secretory pathway and perturbs glycosylation in the Golgi complex. Rer1-GFP, a protein that cycles between the ER and Golgi complex in COPI and COPII vesicles, is mislocalized to the vacuole in neo1-ts at the nonpermissive temperature. These phenotypes suggest that the anterograde protein transport defect is a secondary consequence of a defect in a COPI-dependent retrograde pathway. We propose that loss of lipid asymmetry in the cis Golgi perturbs retrograde protein transport to the ER.

TLR signaling in B-cell development and activation.

Expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in B cells provides a cell-intrinsic mechanism for innate signals regulating adaptive immune responses. In combination with other signaling pathways in B cells, including through the B-cell receptor (BCR), TLR signaling plays multiple roles in B-cell differentiation and activation. The outcome of TLR signaling in B cells is largely context-dependent, which partly explains discrepancies among in vitro and in vivo studies, or studies using different immunogens. We focus on recent findings on how B-cell-intrinsic TLR signaling regulates antibody responses, including germinal center formation and autoantibody production in autoimmune disease models. In addition, TLR signaling also acts on the precursors of B cells, which could influence the immune response of animals by shaping the composition of the immune system. With TLR signaling modulating immune responses at these different levels, much more needs to be understood before we can depict the complete functions of innate signaling in host defense.

AMP-activated kinase links serotonergic signaling to glutamate release for regulation of feeding behavior in C. elegans.

Serotonergic regulation of feeding behavior has been studied intensively, both for an understanding of the basic neurocircuitry of energy balance in various organisms and as a therapeutic target for human obesity. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we show that neural serotonin signaling in C. elegans modulates feeding behavior through inhibition of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) in interneurons expressing the C. elegans counterpart of human SIM1, a transcription factor associated with obesity. In turn, glutamatergic signaling links these interneurons to pharyngeal neurons implicated in feeding behavior. We show that AMPK-mediated regulation of glutamatergic release is conserved in rat hippocampal neurons. These findings reveal cellular and molecular mediators of serotonergic signaling.

v-SNARE composition distinguishes synaptic vesicle pools.

Synaptic vesicles belong to two distinct pools, a recycling pool responsible for the evoked release of neurotransmitter and a resting pool unresponsive to stimulation. The uniform appearance of synaptic vesicles has suggested that differences in location or cytoskeletal association account for these differences in function. We now find that the v-SNARE tetanus toxin-insensitive vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP7) differs from other synaptic vesicle proteins in its distribution to the two pools, providing evidence that they differ in molecular composition. We also find that both resting and recycling pools undergo spontaneous release, and when activated by deletion of the longin domain, VAMP7 influences the properties of release. Further, the endocytosis that follows evoked and spontaneous release differs in mechanism, and specific sequences confer targeting to the different vesicle pools. The results suggest that different endocytic mechanisms generate synaptic vesicles with different proteins that can endow the vesicles with distinct properties.