A regulatory role for IL-10 receptor signaling in development and B cell help of T follicular helper cells in mice

J Immunol. 2012 Aug 1;189(3):1294-302. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1102948. Epub 2012 Jul 2.

Abstract

IL -10 is widely accepted as a survival, proliferation, and differentiation factor for B cells. However, IL-10 deficiency accelerates disease progression as the result of autoantibody production in many autoimmune disease models. It was demonstrated that T follicular helper cells (T(FH) cells) play a key role in helping B cells that are secreting Abs. In this study, we demonstrated a regulatory role for IL-10R signaling on the development and B cell help function of T(FH) cells in vitro and in vivo. IL-1R subunit β-deficient (Il10rb(-/-)) Th cells were able to differentiate more readily into T(FH) cells, as well as secrete more IL-21 and IL-17 compared with wild-type Th cell-derived T(FH) cells. Increased IL-21 and IL-17 contributed to the enhanced B cell help functions of T(FH) cells. Further experiments demonstrated that IL-6 and IL-23 from dendritic cells in Il10rb(-/-) mice contributed to the differentiation of naive Th cells into T(FH) cells, as well as the generation of IL-21- and IL-17-producing T(FH) cells. Our results provide useful information for clarifying the immunoregulatory mechanisms associated with IL-10 deficiency in certain autoimmune disease models. This information could also be of benefit for the development of vaccines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Interleukin-10 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-10 / physiology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Cooperation / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Interleukin-10 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Interleukin-10 / deficiency
  • Receptors, Interleukin-10 / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism

Substances

  • IL10 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-10