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IL-21 Receptor Antagonist Inhibits Differentiation of B Cells toward Plasmablasts upon Alloantigen Stimulation.

Authors :
de Leur K
Dor FJ
Dieterich M
van der Laan LJ
Hendriks RW
Baan CC
Source :
Frontiers in immunology [Front Immunol] 2017 Mar 20; Vol. 8, pp. 306. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Mar 20 (Print Publication: 2017).
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Interaction between T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and B cells is complex and involves various pathways, including the production of IL-21 by the Tfh cells. Secretion of IL-21 results in B cell differentiation toward immunoglobulin-producing plasmablasts. In patients after kidney transplantation, the formation of alloantibodies produced by donor antigen-activated B cells are a major cause of organ failure. In this allogeneic response, the role of IL-21-producing Tfh cells that regulate B cell differentiation is unknown. Here, we tested, in an alloantigen-driven setting, whether Tfh cell help signals control B cell differentiation with its dependency on IL-21. Pre-transplantation patient PBMCs were sorted into pure CD4 <superscript>pos</superscript> CXCR5 <superscript>pos</superscript> Tfh cells and CD19 <superscript>pos</superscript> CD27 <superscript>pos</superscript> memory B cells and stimulated with donor antigen in the presence or absence of an IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) antagonist (αIL-21R). Donor antigen stimulation initiated expression of the activation markers inducible co-stimulator (ICOS) and programmed death 1 (PD-1) on Tfh cells and a shift toward a mixed Tfh2 and Tfh17 phenotype. The memory B cells underwent class switch recombination and differentiated toward IgM- and IgG-producing plasmablasts. In the presence of αIL-21R, a dose-dependent inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation was measured in both T and B cells. Blockade of the IL-21R did not have an effect on PD-1 and ICOS expression on Tfh cells but significantly inhibited B cell differentiation. The proportion of plasmablasts decreased by 78% in the presence of αIL-21R. Moreover, secreted IgM and IgG2 levels were significantly lower in the presence of αIL-21R. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that IL-21 produced by alloantigen-activated Tfh cells controls B cell differentiation toward antibody producing plasmablasts. The IL-21R might, therefore, be a useful target in organ transplantation to prevent antigen-driven immune responses leading to graft failure.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1664-3224
Volume :
8
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Frontiers in immunology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
28373876
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.00306