T cell-induced secretion of MHC class II-peptide complexes on B cell exosomes

EMBO J. 2007 Oct 3;26(19):4263-72. doi: 10.1038/sj.emboj.7601842. Epub 2007 Sep 6.

Abstract

Antigen-specific interactions between B cells and T cells are essential for the generation of an efficient immune response. Since this requires peptide-MHC class II complexes (pMHC-II) on the B cell to interact with TCR on antigen-specific T cells, we have examined the mechanisms regulating the persistence, loss, and secretion of specific pMHC-II complexes on activated B cells. Using a mAb that recognizes specific pMHC-II, we found that activated B cells degrade approximately 50% of pMHC-II every day and release 12% of these pMHC-II from the cell on small membrane vesicles termed exosomes. These exosomes directly stimulate primed, but not naïve, CD4 T cells. Interestingly, engagement of antigen-loaded B cells with specific CD4 T cells stimulates exosome release in a manner that can be mimicked by pMHC-II crosslinking. Biochemical studies revealed that the pMHC-II released on exosomes was previously expressed on the plasma membrane of the B cells, suggesting that regulated exosome release from activated B cells is a mechanism to allow pMHC-II to escape intracellular degradation and decorate secondary lymphoid organs with membrane-associated pMHC-II complexes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Membrane / immunology
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / immunology*
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell