Loss of function of XBP1 splicing activity of IRE1α favors B cell tolerance breakdown.

Anti-nuclear antibodies are the hallmark of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and scleroderma. However, the molecular mechanisms of B cell tolerance breakdown in these pathological contexts are poorly known. The study of rare familial forms of autoimmune diseases could therefore help to better describe common biological mechanisms leading to B cell tolerance breakdown. By Whole-Exome Sequencing, we identified a new heterozygous mutation (p.R594C) in ERN1 gene, encoding IRE1α (Inositol-Requiring Enzyme 1α), in a multiplex family with several members presenting autoantibody-mediated autoimmunity. Using human cell lines and a knock-in (KI) transgenic mouse model, we showed that this mutation led to a profound defect of IRE1α ribonuclease activity on X-Box Binding Protein 1 (XBP1) splicing. The KI mice developed a broad panel of autoantibodies, however in a subclinical manner. These results suggest that a decrease of spliced form of XBP1 (XBP1s) production could contribute to B cell tolerance breakdown and give new insights into the function of IRE1α which are important to consider for the development of IRE1α targeting strategies.

Normal B cells express ZAP70 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A link between autoimmunity and lymphoproliferation?

ZAP70 has a prognostic value in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), through altered B-cell receptor signaling, which is important in CLL pathogenesis. A good correlation between ZAP70 expression in CLL cells and the occurrence of autoimmune phenomena has been reported. Yet, the great majority of CLL-associated autoimmune cytopenia is due to polyclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) G synthesized by nonmalignant B cells, and this phenomenon is poorly understood. Here, we show, using flow cytometry, that a substantial percentage of CD5- nonmalignant B cells from CLL patients expresses ZAP70 compared with CD5- B cells from healthy subjects. This ZAP70 expression in normal B cells from CLL patients was also evidenced by the detection of ZAP70 mRNA at single-cell level with polyclonal Ig heavy- and light-chain gene transcripts. ZAP70+ normal B cells belong to various B-cell subsets and their presence in the naïve B-cell subset suggests that ZAP70 expression may occur during early B-cell development in CLL patients and potentially before malignant transformation. The presence of ZAP70+ normal B cells is associated with autoimmune cytopenia in CLL patients in our cohort of patients, and recombinant antibodies produced from these ZAP70+ nonmalignant B cells were frequently autoreactive including anti-platelet reactivity. These results provide a better understanding of the implication of ZAP70 in CLL leukemogenesis and the mechanisms of autoimmune complications of CLL.

mTOR Activation Underlies Enhanced B Cell Proliferation and Autoimmunity in PrkcdG510S/G510S Mice.

Autosomal recessive PRKCD deficiency has previously been associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus in human patients, but the mechanisms underlying autoimmunity remain poorly understood. We introduced the Prkcd G510S mutation that we previously associated to a Mendelian cause of systemic lupus erythematosus in the mouse genome, using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. PrkcdG510S/G510S mice recapitulated the human phenotype and had reduced lifespan. We demonstrate that this phenotype is linked to a B cell-autonomous role of Prkcd. A detailed analysis of B cell activation in PrkcdG510S/G510S mice shows an upregulation of the PI3K/mTOR pathway after the engagement of the BCR in these cells, leading to lymphoproliferation. Treatment of mice with rapamycin, an mTORC1 inhibitor, significantly improves autoimmune symptoms, demonstrating in vivo the deleterious effect of mTOR pathway activation in PrkcdG510S/G510S mice. Additional defects in PrkcdG510S/G510S mice include a decrease in peripheral mature NK cells that might contribute to the known susceptibility to viral infections of patients with PRKCD mutations.

CD4 T cell-intrinsic STING signaling controls the differentiation and effector functions of TH1 and TH9 cells.

BACKGROUND: While stimulator of interferon genes (STING) activation in innate immune cells of the tumor microenvironment can result in CD8 T cell-dependent antitumor immunity, whether STING signaling affects CD4 T-cell responses remains elusive. METHODS: Here, we tested whether STING activation modulated the effector functions of CD4 T cells in vivo by analyzing tumor-infiltrating CD4 T cells and evaluating the contribution of the CD4 T cell-derived cytokines in the antitumor activity of the STING ligand 2'3'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) in two mouse tumor models. We performed ex vivo experiments to assess the impact of STING activation on CD4 T-cell differentiation and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Finally, we tested whether STING activation enhances TH9 cell antitumor activity against mouse melanoma upon adoptive transfer. RESULTS: We found that activation of STING signaling cell-intrinsically enhances the differentiation and antitumor functions of TH1 and TH9 cells by increasing their respective production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-9. IRF3 and type I interferon receptors (IFNARs) are required for the STING-driven enhancement of TH1 cell differentiation. However, STING activation favors TH9 cell differentiation independently of the IFNARs/IRF3 pathway but through mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, underscoring that STING activation differentially affects the fate of distinct CD4 T-cell subsets. The therapeutic effect of STING activation relies on TH1 and TH9-derived cytokines, and STING activation enhances the antitumor activity of TH9 cells upon adoptive transfer. CONCLUSION: Our results reveal the STING signaling pathway as a therapeutic target to boost CD4 T-cell effector functions and antitumor immunity.

Developmental partitioning of SYK and ZAP70 prevents autoimmunity and cancer.

Even though SYK and ZAP70 kinases share high sequence homology and serve analogous functions, their expression in B and T cells is strictly segregated throughout evolution. Here, we identified aberrant ZAP70 expression as a common feature in a broad range of B cell malignancies. We validated SYK as the kinase that sets the thresholds for negative selection of autoreactive and premalignant clones. When aberrantly expressed in B cells, ZAP70 competes with SYK at the BCR signalosome and redirects SYK from negative selection to tonic PI3K signaling, thereby promoting B cell survival. In genetic mouse models for B-ALL and B-CLL, conditional expression of Zap70 accelerated disease onset, while genetic deletion impaired malignant transformation. Inducible activation of Zap70 during B cell development compromised negative selection of autoreactive B cells, resulting in pervasive autoantibody production. Strict segregation of the two kinases is critical for normal B cell selection and represents a central safeguard against the development of autoimmune disease and B cell malignancies.

Monogenic lupus: Dissecting heterogeneity.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe lifelong multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies targeting nuclear autoantigens, increased production of type I interferon and B cell abnormalities. Clinical presentation of SLE is extremely heterogeneous and different groups of disease are likely to exist. Recently, childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) cases have been linked to single gene mutations, defining the concept of monogenic or Mendelian lupus. Genes associated with Mendelian lupus can be grouped in at least three functional categories. First, complement deficiencies represent the main cause of monogenic lupus and its components are involved in the clearance of dying cells, a mechanism also called efferocytosis. Mutations in extracellular DNASE have been also identified in cSLE patients and represent additional causes leading to defective clearance of nucleic acids and apoptotic bodies. Second, the study of Aicardi-Goutières syndromes has introduced the concept of type-I interferonopathies. Bona fide lupus syndromes have been associated to this genetic condition, driven by defective nucleic acids metabolism or innate sensors overactivity. Interferon signalling anomalies can be detected and monitored during therapies, such as Janus-kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Third, tolerance breakdown can occur following genetic mutations in B and/or T cell expressing key immunoregulatory molecules. Biallelic mutations in PRKCD are associated to lupus and lymphoproliferative diseases as PKC-δ displays proapoptotic activity and is crucial to eliminate self-reactive transitional B cells. Here we review the literature of the emerging field of Mendelian lupus and discuss the physiopathological learning from these inborn errors of immunity. In addition, clinical and biological features are highlighted as well as specific therapies that have been tested in these genetic contexts.

Transitional B cells in quiescent SLE: An early checkpoint imprinted by IFN.

Systemic lupus (SLE) is characterized by a break of B cell tolerance that plays a central role in disease pathophysiology. An early checkpoint defect occurs at the transitional stage leading to the survival of autoreactive B cells and consequently the production of pathogenic autoantibodies. The main purpose of our work was to determine whether transitional B cells, as the most immature naïve B cell subset upstream of pathogenic B cells, display specific features compared to healthy non SLE subjects. Through extensive analysis of transitional B cells from untreated or low treated, mostly Caucasian, SLE patients, we demonstrated that transitional (T1 and T2) B cell frequencies were increased in SLE and positively correlated with disease activity. SLE transitional B cells displayed defects in two closely inter-related molecules (i.e. TLR9 defective responses and CD19 downregulation). RNA sequencing of sorted transitional B cells from untreated patients revealed a predominant overexpression of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) even out of flares. In addition, early transitional B cells from the bone marrow displayed the highest interferon score, reflecting a B cell interferon burden of central origin. Hence, the IFN signature in transitional B cells is not confined to African American SLE patients and exists in quiescent disease since the medullary stage. These results suggest that in SLE these 3 factors (i.e. IFN imprintment, CD19 downregulation and TLR9 responses impairment) could take part at the early transitional B cell stage in B cell tolerance by-pass, ultimately leading in periphery to the expansion of autoantibodies-secreting cells.

10 most important contemporary challenges in the management of SLE.

From a 1-year survival of less than 50% before the discovery of glucocorticoids to over 90% at 10 years in most dedicated centres, the spectrum of SLE has profoundly evolved. Despite this improvement, several major challenges currently remain. The aim of this review is to analyse what are, according to us, the 10 most important contemporary challenges in the management of SLE. Among those are the need to treat to target to favour disease remission (or low disease activity), limit the use of glucocorticoids, derive more comprehensive tools for the evaluation of disease activity, develop more effective drugs (yielding successful trials), dissect the heterogeneity of the disease both at the molecular and genetic levels, identify relevant biomarkers for individualised treatment, manage fertility and pregnancy, tackle comorbidities such as cardiovascular risk, the prevention of infections and osteoporosis, improve the network of care (from the patients' perspective), and favour a holistic approach (integrating fatigue, adherence to treatment, physical activity). Altogether, these 10 contemporary challenges in SLE may be considered as a roadmap for those involved in the daily care of patients with SLE, as well as for researchers who may wish to contribute to an improved management of this rare and complex disease.

Severe combined immunodeficiency in stimulator of interferon genes (STING) V154M/wild-type mice.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant gain-of-function mutations in human stimulator of interferon genes (STING) lead to a severe autoinflammatory disease called STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy that is associated with enhanced expression of interferon-stimulated gene transcripts. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to analyze the phenotype of a new mouse model of STING hyperactivation and the role of type I interferons in this system. METHODS: We generated a knock-in model carrying an amino acid substitution (V154M) in mouse STING, corresponding to a recurrent mutation seen in human patients with STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy. Hematopoietic development and tissue histology were analyzed. Lymphocyte activation and proliferation were assessed in vitro. STING V154M/wild-type (WT) mice were crossed to IFN-α/ß receptor (IFNAR) knockout mice to evaluate the type I interferon dependence of the mutant Sting phenotype recorded. RESULTS: In STING V154M/WT mice we detected variable expression of inflammatory infiltrates in the lungs and kidneys. These mice showed a marked decrease in survival and developed a severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) affecting B, T, and natural killer cells, with an almost complete lack of antibodies and a significant expansion of monocytes and granulocytes. The blockade in B- and T-cell development was present from early immature stages in bone marrow and thymus. In addition, in vitro experiments revealed an intrinsic proliferative defect of mature T cells. Although the V154M/WT mutant demonstrated increased expression of interferon-stimulated genes, the SCID phenotype was not reversed in STING V154M/WT IFNAR knockout mice. However, the antiproliferative defect in T cells was rescued partially by IFNAR deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: STING gain-of-function mice developed an interferon-independent SCID phenotype with a T-cell, B-cell, and natural killer cell developmental defect and hypogammaglobulinemia that is associated with signs of inflammation in lungs and kidneys. Only the intrinsic proliferative defect of T cells was partially interferon dependent.

Impaired TLR9 responses in B cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

B cells play a central role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathophysiology but dysregulated pathways leading to a break in B cell tolerance remain unclear. Since Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) favors the elimination of autoreactive B cells in the periphery, we assessed TLR9 function in SLE by analyzing the responses of B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) isolated from healthy donors and patients after stimulation with CpG, a TLR9 agonist. We found that SLE B cells from patients without hydroxychloroquine treatment displayed defective in vitro TLR9 responses, as illustrated by the impaired upregulation of B cell activation molecules and the diminished production of various cytokines including antiinflammatory IL-10. In agreement with CD19 controlling TLR9 responses in B cells, decreased expression of the CD19/CD21 complex on SLE B cells was detected as early as the transitional B cell stage. In contrast, TLR7 function was preserved in SLE B cells, whereas pDCs from SLE patients properly responded to TLR9 stimulation, thereby revealing that impaired TLR9 function in SLE was restricted to B cells. We conclude that abnormal CD19 expression and TLR9 tolerogenic function in SLE B cells may contribute to the break of B cell tolerance in these patients.

Trib1 Is Overexpressed in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, While It Regulates Immunoglobulin Production in Murine B Cells.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a severe and heterogeneous autoimmune disease with a complex genetic etiology, characterized by the production of various pathogenic autoantibodies, which participate in end-organ damages. The majority of human SLE occurs in adults as a polygenic disease, and clinical flares interspersed with silent phases of various lengths characterize the usual evolution of the disease in time. Trying to understand the mechanism of the different phenotypic traits of the disease, and considering the central role of B cells in SLE, we previously performed a detailed wide analysis of gene expression variation in B cells from quiescent SLE patients. This analysis pointed out an overexpression of TRIB1. TRIB1 is a pseudokinase that has been implicated in the development of leukemia and also metabolic disorders. It is hypothesized that Trib1 plays an adapter or scaffold function in signaling pathways, notably in MAPK pathways. Therefore, we planned to understand the functional significance of TRIB1 overexpression in B cells in SLE. We produced a new knock-in model with B-cell-specific overexpression of Trib1. We showed that overexpression of Trib1 specifically in B cells does not impact B cell development nor induce any development of SLE symptoms in the mice. By contrast, Trib1 has a negative regulatory function on the production of immunoglobulins, notably IgG1, but also on the production of autoantibodies in an induced model. We observed a decrease of Erk activation in BCR-stimulated Trib1 overexpressing B cells. Finally, we searched for Trib1 partners in B cells by proteomic analysis in order to explore the regulatory function of Trib1 in B cells. Interestingly, we find an interaction between Trib1 and CD72, a negative regulator of B cells whose deficiency in mice leads to the development of autoimmunity. In conclusion, the overexpression of Trib1 could be one of the molecular pathways implicated in the negative regulation of B cells during SLE.

Phenotyping of autoreactive B cells with labeled nucleosomes in 56R transgenic mice.

The phenotypic characterization of self-reactive B cells producing autoantibodies is one of the challenges to get further insight in the physiopathology of autoimmune diseases. We took advantage of our previously developed flow cytometry method, using labeled nucleosomes, prominent autoantigens in systemic lupus erythematosus, to analyze the phenotype of self-reactive B cells in the anti-DNA B6.56R mouse model. We showed that splenic anti-nucleosome B cells express mostly kappa light chains and harbor a marginal zone phenotype. Moreover, these autoreactive B cells fail to acquire a germinal center phenotype and are less abundant in the transitional T3 compartment. In conclusion, the direct detection of autoreactive B cells helped determine their phenotypic characteristics and provided a more direct insight into the B cell tolerance process in B6.56R mice. This method constitutes an interesting new tool to study the mechanisms of B cell tolerance breakdown in B6.56R mice crossed with autoimmune prone models.

Neutropenia in Patients with Common Variable Immunodeficiency: a Rare Event Associated with Severe Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is characterized by infections and hypogammaglobulinemia. Neutropenia is rare during CVID. METHODS: The French DEFI study enrolled patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia. Patients with CVID and neutropenia were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among 473 patients with CVID, 16 patients displayed neutropenia (lowest count [0-1400]*106/L). Sex ratio (M/F) was 10/6. Five patients died during the follow-up (11 years) with an increased percentage of deaths compared to the whole DEFI group (31.3 vs 3.4%, P < 0.05). Neutropenia was diagnosed for 10 patients before 22 years old. The most frequent symptoms, except infections, were autoimmune cytopenia, i.e., thrombopenia or anemia (11/16). Ten patients were affected with lymphoproliferative diseases. Two patients were in the infection only group and the others belonged to one or several other CVID groups. The median level of IgG was 2.6 g/L [0.35-4.4]. Most patients presented increased numbers of CD21low CD38low B cell, as already described in CVID autoimmune cytopenia group. Neutropenia was considered autoimmune in 11 cases. NGS for 52 genes of interest was performed on 8 patients. No deleterious mutations were found in LRBA, CTLA4, and PIK3. More than one potentially damaging variant in other genes associated with CVID were present in most patients arguing for a multigene process. CONCLUSION: Neutropenia is generally associated with another cytopenia and presumably of autoimmune origin during CVID. In the DEFI study, neutropenia is coupled with more severe clinical outcomes. It appears as an "alarm bell" considering patients' presentation and the high rate of deaths. Whole exome sequencing diagnosis should improve management.

Immunological phenotype of the murine Lrba knockout.

Biallelic mutations in the human lipopolysaccharide responsive beige-like anchor (LRBA) gene lead to a primary immunodeficiency known as LRBA deficiency, characterized by a broad range of clinical manifestations including autoimmunity, organomegaly, hypogammaglobulinemia and recurrent infections. Considering the phenotypic heterogeneity in patients and the severity of the disease, our aim was to assess the role of LRBA in immune cells and to understand the underlying pathomechanisms through the study of a Lrba knockout (Lrba-/-) mouse model. LRBA-deficient mice did not show severe clinical or immunological signs of disease, either at steady state under specific-pathogen-free conditions, after vaccination with T-dependent and T-independent antigens, or in the context of acute infections with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) or Salmonella Typhimurium. Although Lrba-/- mice were able to produce normal serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG and to mount a specific immune response after immunization, they showed elevated serum and secretory basal IgA levels. LRBA was dispensable for B- and T-cell development, as well as for in vitro B-cell proliferation, survival, isotype switching and plasmablast differentiation. Interestingly, Lrba-/- mice displayed decreased cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) expression by regulatory T cells and activated conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, reduced frequency of peritoneal B-1a cells along with diminished interleukin-10 production and increased percentages of T follicular helper cells in Peyer's patches, but without developing overt signs of autoimmunity. Our findings expand the role of LRBA in immune regulatory mechanisms previously reported in patients, and suggest a novel role in IgA production that is crucial for the protection of mucosal surfaces and gut-associated immune tolerance.

Identification of autoreactive B cells with labeled nucleosomes.

The pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases has not been completely elucidated yet, and only a few specific treatments have been developed so far. In autoimmune diseases mediated by pathogenic autoantibodies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, the specific detection and analysis of autoreactive B cells is crucial for a better understanding of the physiopathology. Biological characterization of these cells may help to define new therapeutic targets. Very few techniques allowing the precise detection of autoreactive B cells have been described so far. Herein we propose a new flow cytometry technique for specific detection of anti-nucleosome B cells, which secrete autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus, using labeled nucleosomes. We produced different fluorochrome-labeled nucleosomes, characterized them, and finally tested them in flow cytometry. Nucleosomes labeled via the cysteines present in H3 histone specifically bind to autoreactive B cells in the anti-DNA transgenic B6.56R mice model. The present work validates the use of fluorochrome-labeled nucleosomes via cysteines to identify anti-nucleosome B cells and offers new opportunities for the description of autoreactive B cell phenotype.

Familial and syndromic lupus share the same phenotype as other early-onset forms of lupus.

OBJECTIVE: Studies of early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have identified monogenic forms of the disease. The primary objective of this study was to compare the clinical and laboratory features of the first patients included in the GENIAL/LUMUGENE cohort to those reported in previous publications. The secondary objective was to determine whether subgroups with a distinctive pattern of clinical and biological features are seen in predominantly genetic forms of SLE. METHODS: GENIAL/LUMUGENE is a French nationwide study of the clinical, immunological, and genetic features of juvenile-onset SLE (clinicaltrials.gov #NCT01992666). Clinical and laboratory data from the first 64 patients younger than 18 years who were included in the first part of the study were collected retrospectively. Predefined criteria were used to divide the patients into three subgroups: syndromic SLE (n=10) and familial SLE (n=12) - both presumed to have a strong genetic component - and other forms of early-onset SLE (n=42). RESULTS: The predefined criteria for identifying subgroups based on knowledge of the clinical and epidemiological features of monogenic SLE showed a significantly younger age at onset in syndromic SLE (P<0.05) and a lower frequency of joint manifestations in familial SLE. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, clinical and epidemiological data alone failed to identify a specific patient subgroup characterized by the same disease presentation or progression. This result may be related to the small sample size or indicate marked heterogeneity of juvenile-onset SLE. Genetic studies using new sequencing techniques in these patients might identify genetic factors responsible for marked phenotypic variability.

PTPN22 inhibition resets defective human central B cell tolerance.

The 1858T protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22 T) allele is one of the main risk factors associated with many autoimmune diseases and correlates with a defective removal of developing autoreactive B cells in humans. To determine whether inhibiting PTPN22 favors the elimination of autoreactive B cells, we first demonstrated that the PTPN22 T allele interfered with the establishment of central B cell tolerance using NOD-scid-common γ chain knockout (NSG) mice engrafted with human hematopoietic stem cells expressing this allele. In contrast, the inhibition of either PTPN22 enzymatic activity or its expression by RNA interference restored defective central B cell tolerance in this model. Thus, PTPN22 blockade may represent a therapeutic strategy for the prevention or treatment of autoimmunity.

Chronic bacterial infection activates autoreactive B cells and induces isotype switching and autoantigen-driven mutations.

The links between infections and the development of B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases are still unclear. In particular, it has been suggested that infection-induced stimulation of innate immune sensors can engage low affinity autoreactive B lymphocytes to mature and produce mutated IgG pathogenic autoantibodies. To test this hypothesis, we established a new knock-in mouse model in which autoreactive B cells could be committed to an affinity maturation process. We show that a chronic bacterial infection allows the activation of such B cells and the production of nonmutated IgM autoantibodies. Moreover, in the constitutive presence of their soluble antigen, some autoreactive clones are able to acquire a germinal center phenotype, to induce Aicda gene expression and to introduce somatic mutations in the IgG heavy chain variable region on amino acids forming direct contacts with the autoantigen. Paradoxically, only lower affinity variants are detected, which strongly suggests that higher affinity autoantibodies secreting B cells are counterselected. For the first time, we demonstrate in vivo that a noncross-reactive infectious agent can activate and induce autoreactive B cells to isotype switching and autoantigen-driven mutations, but on a nonautoimmune background, tolerance mechanisms prevent the formation of consequently dangerous autoimmunity.

Overexpression of Fkbp11, a feature of lupus B cells, leads to B cell tolerance breakdown and initiates plasma cell differentiation.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a severe systemic autoimmune disease, characterized by multi-organ damages, triggered by an autoantibody-mediated inflammation, and with a complex genetic influence. It is today accepted that adult SLE arises from the building up of many subtle gene variations, each one adding a new brick on the SLE susceptibility and contributing to a phenotypic trait to the disease. One of the ways to find these gene variations consists in comprehensive analysis of gene expression variation in a precise cell type, which can constitute a good complementary strategy to genome wide association studies. Using this strategy, and considering the central role of B cells in SLE, we analyzed the B cell transcriptome of quiescent SLE patients, and identified an overexpression of FKBP11, coding for a cytoplasmic putative peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase and chaperone enzyme. To understand the consequences of FKBP11 overexpression on B cell function and on autoimmunity's development, we created lentiviral transgenic mice reproducing this gene expression variation. We showed that high expression of Fkbp11 reproduces by itself two phenotypic traits of SLE in mice: breakdown of B cell tolerance against DNA and initiation of plasma cell differentiation by acting upstream of Pax5 master regulator gene.