FcγRIIB regulation of BCR/TLR-dependent autoreactive B-cell responses

Eur J Immunol. 2010 Oct;40(10):2692-8. doi: 10.1002/eji.200940184.

Abstract

Crosslinking of Fc γ receptor II B (FcγRIIB) and the BCR by immune complexes (IC) can downregulate antigen-specific B-cell responses. Accordingly, FcγRIIB deficiencies have been associated with B-cell hyperactivity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and mouse models of lupus. However, we have previously shown that murine IgG2a-autoreactive AM14 B cells respond robustly to chromatin-associated IC through a mechanism dependent on both the BCR and the endosomal TLR9, despite FcγRIIB coexpression. To further evaluate the potential contribution of FcγRIIB to the regulation of autoreactive B cells, we have now compared the IC-triggered responses of FcγRIIB-deficient and FcγRIIB-sufficient AM14 B cells. We find that FcγRIIB-deficient cells respond significantly better than FcγRIIB-sufficient cells when stimulated with DNA IC that incorporate low-affinity TLR9 ligand (CG-poor dsDNA fragments). AM14 B cells also respond to RNA-associated IC through BCR/TLR7 coengagement, but such BCR/TLR7-dependent responses are normally highly dependent on IFN-α costimulation. However, we now show that AM14 FcγRIIB(-/-) B cells are very effectively activated by RNA IC without supplemental IFN-α priming. These results demonstrate that FcγRIIB can effectively modulate both BCR/TLR9 and BCR/TLR7 endosomal-dependent activation of autoreactive B cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex / immunology
  • Autoantigens / immunology
  • Autoimmunity / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Communication / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / immunology*
  • Receptors, IgG / immunology*
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Autoantigens
  • Fcgr2b protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • Receptors, IgG
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9