Follicular Helper Cells T + of IL21 Produced by CXCR5 Ig-Secreting Cells: Predominant Role Human B Cell Differentiation into Cytokine-Mediated Regulation of (original) (raw)

IL-21 Induces Differentiation of Human Naive and Memory B Cells into Antibody-Secreting Plasma Cells

The Journal of Immunology, 2005

In this study, we report that IL-21 plays a major role in stimulating the differentiation of human B cells. When human B cells were stimulated through the BCR, IL-21 induced minimal proliferation, IgD down-modulation, and small numbers of plasma cells. In contrast, after CD40 engagement, IL-21 induced extensive proliferation, class switch recombination (CSR), and plasma cell differentiation. Upon cross-linking both BCR and CD40, IL-21 induced the largest numbers of plasma cells. IL-21 drove both postswitch memory cells as well as poorly responsive naive cord blood B cells to differentiate into plasma cells. The effect of IL-21 was more potent than the combination of IL-2 and IL-10, especially when responsiveness of cord blood B cells was examined. IL-21 costimulation potently induced the expression of both B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (BLIMP-1) and activation-induced cytidine deaminase as well as the production of large amounts of IgG from B cells. Despite the induction of activation-induced cytidine deaminase and CSR, IL-21 did not induce somatic hypermutation. Finally, IL-2 enhanced the effects of IL-21, whereas IL-4 inhibited IL-21-induced plasma cell differentiation. Taken together, our data show that IL-21 plays a central role in CSR and plasma cell differentiation during T cell-dependent B cell responses.

IL22, in contrast to IL10, does not induce Ig production, due to absence of a functional IL22 receptor on activated human B cells

International Immunology, 2002

IL-22 is an IL-10 homologue that binds to and signals via the class II cytokine receptor (R) heterodimer IL-22RA1/CFR2-4 (IL-10R2), the latter chain being part of the IL-10R complex. Here, we report that, despite its structural similarity with IL-10, as well as its use of the common IL-10R2 chain, IL-22, in contrast to IL-10, is unable to induce Ig production by activated human B cells. Whereas culture of anti-CD40 mAb-stimulated splenic or tonsillar B cells in the presence of rIL-10 resulted in the production of IgG, IgG1, IgG3 and IgA, rIL-22, at concentrations ranging from 4 to 100 ng/ml, did not induce the production of any of these isotypes. Moreover, unlike rIL-10 which enhanced rIL-4-induced IgG4 and IgE production, rIL-22 was ineffective. Although activated B cells expressed transcripts for a soluble IL-22-binding protein (IL-22RA2), no mRNA for a transmembrane IL-22R (IL-22RA1) could be detected. The latter result was con®rmed by the demonstration that rIL-22 failed to induce activation of STAT-3 and -5 in resting or activated B cells. Together, these data show that IL-22, in contrast to its homologue IL-10, is not involved in the immunological activity of B cells, which is due to the absence of a functional IL-22R at the surface of these cells.

IL-21 is the primary common γ chain-binding cytokine required for human B-cell differentiation in vivo

Blood, 2011

SCID resulting from mutations in IL2RG or JAK3 is characterized by lack of T and natural killer cells; B cells are present in normal number, but antibody responses are defective. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is curative for SCID. However, B-cell dysfunction persists in a substantial proportion of patients. We hypothesized that impaired B-cell responses after HCT in IL2RG/JAK3 deficiency results from poor donor B-cell engraftment and defective γc-dependent cytokine signaling in host B cells. To test this, and to identify which γc cytokine(s) is critical for humoral immunity, we studied 28 transplanted patients with IL2RG/JAK3 deficiency. Lack of donor B-cell engraftment associated with persistent humoral dysfunction and significantly reduced memory B cells. B-cell proliferation induced by CD40L alone or together with CpG, anti-Ig, IL-4, IL-10, or IL-13 was comparable in healthy controls and in post-HCT SCID patients, irrespective of their chimerism status. However, in vit...

IL-21 Regulates the Differentiation of a Human γδ T Cell Subset Equipped with B Cell Helper Activity

PLoS ONE, 2012

Vc9Vd2 T lymphocytes recognize nonpeptidic antigens without presentation by MHC molecules and display pleiotropic features. Here we report that coculture of Vc9Vd2 cells with phosphoantigen and IL-21 leads to selective expression of the transcription repressor Bcl-6 and polarization toward a lymphocyte subset displaying features of follicular B-helper T (T FH ) cells. T FH -like Vc9Vd2 cells have a predominant central memory (CD27 + CD45RA 2 ) phenotype and express ICOS, CD40L and CXCR5. Upon antigen activation, they secrete IL-4, IL-10 and CXCL13, and provide B-cell help for antibody production in vitro. Our findings delineate a subset of human Vc9Vd2 lymphocytes, which, upon interaction with IL-21-producing CD4 T FH cells and B cells in secondary lymphoid organs, is implicated in the production of high affinity antibodies against microbial pathogens.

IL-21 and IL-6 Are Critical for Different Aspects of B Cell Immunity and Redundantly Induce Optimal Follicular Helper CD4 T Cell (Tfh) Differentiation

PLoS ONE, 2011

Cytokines are important modulators of lymphocytes, and both interleukin-21 (IL-21) and IL-6 have proposed roles in T follicular helper (Tfh) differentiation, and directly act on B cells. Here we investigated the absence of IL-6 alone, IL-21 alone, or the combined lack of IL-6 and IL-21 on Tfh differentiation and the development of B cell immunity in vivo. C57BL/6 or IL-21 2/2 mice were treated with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against IL-6 throughout the course of an acute viral infection (lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, LCMV). The combined absence of IL-6 and IL-21 resulted in reduced Tfh differentiation and reduced Bcl6 protein expression. In addition, we observed that these cytokines had a large impact on antigen-specific B cell responses. IL-6 and IL-21 collaborate in the acute T-dependent antiviral antibody response (90% loss of circulating antiviral IgG in the absence of both cytokines). In contrast, we observed reduced germinal center formation only in the absence of IL-21. Absence of IL-6 had no impact on germinal centers, and combined absence of both IL-21 and IL-6 revealed no synergistic effect on germinal center B cell development. Studying CD4 T cells in vitro, we found that high IL-21 production was not associated with high Bcl6 or CXCR5 expression. TCR stimulation of purified naïve CD4 T cells in the presence of IL-6 also did not result in Tfh differentiation, as determined by Bcl6 or CXCR5 protein expression. Cumulatively, our data indicates that optimal Tfh formation requires IL-21 and IL-6, and that cytokines alone are insufficient to drive Tfh differentiation.