SAP expression in invariant NKT cells is required for cognate help to support B-cell responses

Blood. 2012 Jul 5;120(1):122-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-11-395913. Epub 2012 May 21.

Abstract

One of the manifestations of X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is progressive agammaglobulinemia, caused by the absence of a functional signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein (SAP) in T, invariant natural killer T (NKT) cells and NK cells. Here we report that α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer) activated NKT cells positively regulate antibody responses to haptenated protein antigens at multiple checkpoints, including germinal center formation and affinity maturation. Whereas NKT cell-dependent B cell responses were absent in SAP(-/-).B6 mice that completely lack NKT cells, the small number of SAP-deficient NKT cells in SAP(-/-).BALB/c mice adjuvated antibody production, but not the germinal center reaction. To test the hypothesis that SAP-deficient NKT cells can facilitate humoral immunity, SAP was deleted after development in SAP(fl/fl).tgCreERT2.B6 mice. We find that NKT cell intrinsic expression of SAP is dispensable for noncognate helper functions, but is critical for providing cognate help to antigen-specific B cells. These results demonstrate that SLAM-family receptor-regulated cell-cell interactions are not limited to T-B cell conjugates. We conclude that in the absence of SAP, several routes of NKT cell-mediated antibody production are still accessible. The latter suggests that residual NKT cells in XLP patients might contribute to variations in dysgammaglobulinemia.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / pharmacology
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Communication / drug effects
  • Cell Communication / immunology
  • Female
  • Galactosylceramides / metabolism
  • Galactosylceramides / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression / immunology
  • Germinal Center / immunology
  • Haptens / immunology
  • Haptens / metabolism
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / cytology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Lymphoproliferative Disorders / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Associated Protein
  • Tamoxifen / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Haptens
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Sh2d1a protein, mouse
  • Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Associated Protein
  • alpha-galactosylceramide
  • Tamoxifen