Angiotensin II synergizes with BAFF to promote atheroprotective regulatory B cells

Sci Rep. 2017 Jun 23;7(1):4111. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04438-6.

Abstract

Angiotensin II (AngII) promotes hypertension, atherogenesis, vascular aneurysm and impairs post-ischemic cardiac remodeling through concerted roles on vascular cells, monocytes and T lymphocytes. However, the role of AngII in B lymphocyte responses is largely unexplored. Here, we show that chronic B cell depletion (Baffr deficiency) significantly reduces atherosclerosis in Apoe -/- mice infused with AngII. While adoptive transfer of B cells in Apoe -/- /Baffr -/- mice reversed atheroprotection in the absence of AngII, infusion of AngII in B cell replenished Apoe -/- /Baffr -/- mice unexpectedly prevented the progression of atherosclerosis. Atheroprotection observed in these mice was associated with a significant increase in regulatory CD1dhiCD5+ B cells, which produced high levels of interleukin (IL)-10 (B10 cells). Replenishment of Apoe -/- /Baffr -/- mice with Il10 -/- B cells reversed AngII-induced B cell-dependent atheroprotection, thus highlighting a protective role of IL-10+ regulatory B cells in this setting. Transfer of AngII type 1A receptor deficient (Agtr1a -/-) B cells into Apoe -/- /Baffr -/- mice substantially reduced the production of IL-10 by B cells and prevented the AngII-dependent atheroprotective B cell phenotype. Consistent with the in vivo data, AngII synergized with BAFF to induce IL-10 production by B cells in vitro via AngII type 1A receptor. Our data demonstrate a previously unknown synergy between AngII and BAFF in inducing IL-10 production by B cells, resulting in atheroprotection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / etiology*
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism*
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • B-Cell Activating Factor / genetics*
  • B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phenotype
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / deficiency

Substances

  • Agtr1a protein, mouse
  • B-Cell Activating Factor
  • Biomarkers
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1
  • Tnfsf13b protein, mouse
  • Angiotensin II
  • Interleukin-10