Tuning of in vivo cognate B-T cell interactions by Intersectin 2 is required for effective anti-viral B cell immunity

A Versatile High-Throughput Single-Cell Screening Platform for Profiling Antigen-Specific Long-Lived B Cells in Blood and Bone Marrow

Antigen-specific B cells play a crucial role in the long-term immune response following infection or vaccination, differentiating into antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) and memory B cells (MBCs). However, profiling ASCs is challenging primarily due to their lack of membrane-bound surface B cell receptors. In this study, the Modular Superhydrophobic Microwell Array Chip (MoSMAR-chip) is introduced as a versatile, cost-effective, and high-throughput platform for identifying and characterizing individual antigen-specific ASCs and MBCs at the single-cell level within seven days. Using this platform, comprehensive analyses of single ASCs could be performed from bone marrows of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine-immunized mice and a diverse set of antibodies capable of neutralizing the highly divergent JN1 variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were identified. These results demonstrate that the MoSMAR-chip facilitates efficient single-cell multi-omics and functional analyses of antigen-specific ASCs, offering a powerful tool for investigating complex long-term B cell immunity in diverse clinical conditions, such as infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and beyond.

CircITSN2-miR-17-5p/20a-5p/20b-5p-PD-L1 regulatory network is a potential molecular mechanism of PD-L1 gene involving in immune response to IBDV

AbstractImmunosuppression induced by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and its subsequent secondary infections remain the serious problems that urgently need to be addressed in poultry industry. Even more troubling, the molecular mechanism of IBDV-induced immunosuppression is not fully understood. In this study, expression characteristics of immune checkpoint programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) gene were explored in chicken immune response induced by IBDV attenuated vaccine, and the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 gene in vivo was identified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed that PD-L1 gene expressions were closely related to the immune response to IBDV, and played important regulatory roles in the immune-related tissues at different stages of the immune response. Significant game relationships in expression levels between miR-17 family members (miR-17-5p, miR-20a-5p, and miR-20b-5p), circITSN2, and PD-L1 gene were identified in vivo, so the circITSN2-miR-17-5p/20a-5p/20b-5p-PD-L1 network was a potential molecular regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 in the immune response to IBDV vaccine, and heart (5 dpi), proventriculus (5 dpi), and lung (21 dpi) were the key tissues. This study can provide valuable references for further studying the molecular mechanisms of immunosuppression induced by IBDV.

B cells require DOCK8 to elicit and integrate T cell help when antigen is limiting

Dedicator of cytokinesis 8 (DOCK8) immunodeficiency syndrome is characterized by a failure of the germinal center response, a process involving the proliferation and positive selection of antigen-specific B cells. Here, we describe how DOCK8-deficient B cells are blocked at a light-zone checkpoint in the germinal centers of immunized mice, where they are unable to respond to T cell-dependent survival and selection signals and consequently differentiate into plasma cells or memory B cells. Although DOCK8-deficient B cells can acquire and present antigen to initiate activation of cognate T cells, integrin up-regulation, B cell-T cell conjugate formation, and costimulation are insufficient for sustained B cell and T cell activation when antigen availability is limited. Our findings provide an explanation for the failure of the humoral response in DOCK8 immunodeficiency syndrome and insight into how the level of available antigen modulates B cell-T cell cross-talk to fine-tune humoral immune responses and immunological memory.

The Ins and Outs of Antigen Uptake in B cells

A review of our current knowledge of B cell antigen uptake mechanisms, the relevance of these processes to pathology, and outstanding questions in the field. Specific antigens induce B cell activation through the B cell receptor (BCR) which initiates downstream signaling and undergoes endocytosis. While extensive research has shed light on the signaling pathways in health and disease, the endocytic mechanisms remain largely uncharacterized. Given the importance of BCR-antigen internalization for antigen presentation in initiating adaptive immune responses and its role in autoimmunity and malignancy, understanding the molecular mechanisms represents critical, and largely untapped, potential therapeutics. In this review, we discuss recent advancements in our understanding of BCR endocytic mechanisms and the role of the actin cytoskeleton and post-translational modifications in regulating BCR uptake. We discuss dysregulated BCR endocytosis in the context of B cell malignancies and autoimmune disorders. Finally, we pose several outstanding mechanistic questions which will critically advance our understanding of the coordination between BCR endocytosis and B cell activation.

Endophilin A2 regulates B-cell endocytosis and is required for germinal center and humoral responses

Antigen‐specific B‐cell responses require endosomal trafficking to regulate antigen uptake and presentation to helper T cells, and to control expression and signaling of immune receptors. However, the molecular composition of B‐cell endosomal trafficking pathways and their specific roles in B‐cell responses have not been systematically investigated. Here, we report high‐throughput identification of genes regulating B‐cell receptor (BCR)‐mediated antigen internalization using genome‐wide functional screens. We show that antigen internalization depends both on constitutive, clathrin‐mediated endocytosis and on antigen‐induced, clathrin‐independent endocytosis mediated by endophilin A2. Although endophilin A2‐mediated endocytosis is dispensable for antigen presentation, it is selectively required for metabolic support of B‐cell proliferation, in part through regulation of iron uptake. Consequently, endophilin A2‐deficient mice show defects in GC B‐cell responses and production of high‐affinity IgG. The requirement for endophilin A2 highlights a unique importance of clathrin‐independent intracellular trafficking in GC B‐cell clonal expansion and antibody responses.

LymphoAtlas: a dynamic and integrated phosphoproteomic resource of TCR signaling in primary T cells reveals ITSN2 as a regulator of effector functions

T-cell receptor (TCR) ligation-mediated protein phosphorylation regulates the activation, cellular responses, and fates of T cells. Here, we used time-resolved high-resolution phosphoproteomics to identify, quantify, and characterize the phosphorylation dynamics of thousands of phosphorylation sites in primary T cells during the first 10 min after TCR stimulation. Bioinformatic analysis of the data revealed a coherent orchestration of biological processes underlying T-cell activation. In particular, functional modules associated with cytoskeletal remodeling, transcription, translation, and metabolic processes were mobilized within seconds after TCR engagement. Among proteins whose phosphorylation was regulated by TCR stimulation, we demonstrated, using a fast-track gene inactivation approach in primary lymphocytes, that the ITSN2 adaptor protein regulated T-cell effector functions. This resource, called LymphoAtlas, represents an integrated pipeline to further decipher the organization of the signaling network encoding T-cell activation. LymphoAtlas is accessible to the community at: https://bmm-lab.github.io/LymphoAtlas.

Host Gene Expression of Macrophages in Response to Feline Coronavirus Infection

Feline coronavirus is a highly contagious virus potentially resulting in feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), while the pathogenesis of FIP remains not well understood, particularly in the events leading to the disease. A predominant theory is that the pathogenic FIPV arises from a mutation, so that it could replicate not only in enterocytes of the intestines but also in monocytes, subsequently systemically transporting the virus. The immune status and genetics of affected cats certainly play an important role in the pathogenesis. Considering the importance of genetics and host immune responses in viral infections, the goal of this study was to elucidate host gene expression in macrophages using RNA sequencing. Macrophages from healthy male cats infected with FIPV 79-1146 ex vivo displayed a differential host gene expression. Despite the virus uptake, aligned viral reads did not increase from 2 to 17 h. The overlap of host gene expression among macrophages from different cats was limited, even though viral transcripts were detected in the cells. Interestingly, some of the downregulated genes in all macrophages were involved in immune signaling, while some upregulated genes common for all cats were found to be inhibiting immune activation. Our results highlight individual host responses playing an important role, consistent with the fact that few cats develop feline infectious peritonitis despite a common presence of enteric FCoV.

T cell interactions with B cells during germinal center formation, a three-step model

Establishment of effective immunity against invading microbes depends on continuous generation of antibodies that facilitate pathogen clearance. Long-lived plasma cells with the capacity to produce high affinity antibodies evolve in germinal centers (GCs), where B cells undergo somatic hypermutation and are subjected to affinity-based selection. Here, we focus on the cellular interactions that take place early in the antibody immune response during GC colonization. Clones bearing B-cell receptors with different affinities and specificities compete for entry to the GC, at the boundary between the B-cell and T-cell zones in lymphoid organs. During this process, B cells compete for interactions with T follicular helper cells, which provide selection signals required for differentiation into GC cells and antibody secreting cells. These cellular engagements are long-lasting and depend on activation of adhesion molecules that support persistent interactions and promote transmission of signals between the cells. Here, we discuss how interactions between cognate T and B cells are primarily maintained by three types of molecular interactions: homophilic signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) interactions, T-cell receptor: peptide-loaded major histocompatibility class II (pMHCII), and LFA-1:ICAMs. These essential components support a three-step process that controls clonal selection for entry into the antibody affinity maturation response in the GC, and establishment of long-lasting antibody-mediated immunity.

B cell memory: building two walls of protection against pathogens

Surviving a single infection often results in lifelong immunity to the infecting pathogen. Such protection is mediated, in large part, by two main B cell memory ‘walls’ — namely, long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells. The cellular and molecular processes that drive the production of long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells are subjects of intensive research and have important implications for global health. Indeed, although nearly all vaccines in use today depend on their ability to induce B cell memory, we have not yet succeeded in developing vaccines for some of the world’s most deadly diseases, including AIDS and malaria. Here, we describe the two-phase process by which antigen drives the generation of long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells and highlight the challenges for successful vaccine development in each phase.

The authors discuss the formation of two main ‘walls’ of B cell memory to protect against pathogen reinfection. The first wall comprises high-affinity antibodies produced by long-lived plasma cells, while the second wall is formed by memory B cells.

B cells extract antigens at Arp2/3-generated actin foci interspersed with linear filaments

Antibody production depends on B cell internalization and presentation of antigens to helper T cells. To acquire antigens displayed by antigen-presenting cells, B cells form immune synapses and extract antigens by the mechanical activity of the acto-myosin cytoskeleton. While cytoskeleton organization driving the initial formation of the B cell synapse has been studied, how the cytoskeleton supports antigen extraction remains poorly understood. Here we show that after initial cell spreading, F-actin in synapses of primary mouse B cells and human B cell lines forms a highly dynamic pattern composed of actin foci interspersed with linear filaments and myosin IIa. The foci are generated by Arp2/3-mediated branched-actin polymerization and stochastically associate with antigen clusters to mediate internalization. However, antigen extraction also requires the activity of formins, which reside near the foci and produce the interspersed filaments. Thus, a cooperation of branched-actin foci supported by linear filaments underlies B cell mechanics during antigen extraction.

B Cell Responses: Cell Interaction Dynamics and Decisions

B cells and the antibodies they produce have a deeply penetrating influence on human physiology. Here, we review current understanding of how B cell responses are initiated; the different paths to generate short- and long-lived plasma cells, germinal center cells, and memory cells; and how each path impacts antibody diversity, selectivity, and affinity. We discuss how basic research is informing efforts to generate vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies against viral pathogens, revealing the special features associated with allergen-reactive IgE responses and uncovering the antibody-independent mechanisms by which B cells contribute to health and disease.

CD84 cell surface signaling molecule: An emerging biomarker and target for cancer and autoimmune disorders

CD84 (SLAMF5) is a member of the SLAM family of cell-surface immunoreceptors. Broadly expressed on most immune cell subsets, CD84 functions as a homophilic adhesion molecule, whose signaling can activate or inhibit leukocyte function depending on the cell type and its stage of activation or differentiation. CD84-mediated signaling regulates diverse immunological processes, including T cell cytokine secretion, natural killer cell cytotoxicity, monocyte activation, autophagy, cognate T:B interactions, and B cell tolerance at the germinal center checkpoint. Recently, alterations in CD84 have been related to autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders. Specific allelic variations in CD84 are associated with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, CD84 mediates intrinsic and stroma-induced survival of malignant cells. In this review, we describe our current understanding of the structure and function of CD84 and its potential role as a therapeutic target and biomarker in inflammatory autoimmune disorders and cancer.

The Lack of WIP Binding to Actin Results in Impaired B Cell Migration and Altered Humoral Immune Responses

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) is a main cytoskeletal regulator in B cells. WASp-interacting protein (WIP) binds to and stabilizes WASp but also interacts with actin. Using mice with a mutated actin binding domain of WIP (WIPΔABD), we here investigated the role of WIP binding to actin during B cell activation. We found an altered differentiation of WIPΔABD B cells and diminished antibody affinity maturation after immunization. Mechanistically, WIPΔABD B cells showed impaired B cell receptor (BCR)-induced PI3K signaling and actin reorganization, likely caused by diminished CD81 expression and altered CD19 dynamics on the B cell surface. WIPΔABD B cells displayed reduced in vivo motility, concomitantly with impaired chemotaxis and defective F-actin polarization, HS1 phosphorylation, and polarization of HS1 to F-actin-rich structures after CXCL12 stimulation in vitro. We thus concluded that WIP binding to actin, independent of its binding to WASp, is critical for actin cytoskeleton plasticity in B cells.