The human CD77- B cell population represents a heterogeneous subset of cells comprising centroblasts, centrocytes, and plasmablasts, prompting phenotypical revision

The process of becoming an Ig-producing plasma cell takes the mature B cell through the germinal center, where Ig genes are diversified through somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination. To more clearly define functional characteristics of the germinal center dark zone centroblasts and the light zone centrocytes, we have performed expression analysis of the CD77(+) and CD77(-) populations, because CD77 has been accepted as a discriminator of centroblasts and centrocytes. Our results demonstrated that the CD77(+) and the CD77(-) populations lack functional associated expression programs discriminating the two populations. Both populations are shown to be actively cycling and to share common features associated with cell cycle regulation and DNA maintenance. They are also shown to have an equally active DNA repair program, as well as components involved in somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination. Moreover, the data also demonstrated that the CD77(-) population comprises cells with an already initiated plasma cell differentiation program. Together this demonstrates that CD77 does not discriminate centroblasts and centrocytes and that the CD77(-) population represents a heterogeneous subset of cells, comprising centroblasts, centrocytes, and plasmablast.     

The Molecular Mechanism of Shiga Toxin Stx2e Neutralization by a Single-domain Antibody Targeting the Cell Receptor-binding Domain

Shiga toxin Stx2e is the major known agent that causes edema disease in newly weaned pigs. This severe disease is characterized by neurological disorders, hemorrhagic lesions, and frequent fatal outcomes. Stx2e consists of an enzymatically active A subunit and five B subunits that bind to a specific glycolipid receptor on host cells. It is evident that antibodies binding to the A subunit or the B subunits of Shiga toxin variants may have the capability to inhibit their cytotoxicity. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of a VHH single domain antibody (nanobody) isolated from a llama phage display library that confers potent neutralizing capacity against Stx2e toxin. We further present the crystal structure of the complex formed between the nanobody (NbStx2e1) and the Stx2e toxoid, determined at 2.8 Å resolution. Structural analysis revealed that for each B subunit of Stx2e, one NbStx2e1 is interacting in a head-to-head orientation and directly competing with the glycolipid receptor binding site on the surface of the B subunit. The neutralizing NbStx2e1 can in the future be used to prevent or treat edema disease.     

Subpopulations of B lymphocytes in germinal centers

With two new monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry, we defined three subpopulations among B cells expressing binding sites for peanut agglutinin (i.e., B cells of the germinal center). On monoclonal antibody (5B5) binds globotriaosyl ceramide. The B lymphocytes binding 5B5 have binding sites for peanut agglutinin on the surface and express only small amounts of sIgD and sIgM. When tested against a panel of B cell lines, only Burkitt's lymphoma cells were 5B5+. Moreover, the 5B5+ cells have larger average sizes and a large fraction of proliferating cells. The other monoclonal antibody (HK23) binds a 90,000 protein. Lymphocytes binding HK23 are 5B5- and include T cells and a subpopulation of B cells. In contrast to 5B5+ cells, the HK23+ and peanut agglutinin positive B cells express a large amount of sIgM. These two subpopulations of germinal centers are distinct from the germinal center B cell subpopulation expressing the CD23 (Blast-2) antigen. The CD23+ B cells are 5B5- and express an intermediate level of HK23 antigen. In addition, CD23+ B cells are highly variable in number, whereas the proportions of HK23+ and 5B5+ cells are relatively stable.     

Isolation of B subunit‐specific monoclonal antibody clones that strongly neutralize the toxicity of Shiga toxin 2

Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2)‐specific mAb‐producing hybridoma clones were generated from mice. Because mice tend to produce small amounts of B subunit (Stx2B)‐specific antibodies at the polyclonal antibody level after immunization via the parenteral route, mice were immunized intranasally with Stx2 toxoids with a mutant heat‐labile enterotoxin as a mucosal adjuvant; 11 different hybridoma clones were obtained in two trials. Six of them were A subunit (Stx2A)‐specific whereas five were Stx2B‐specific antibody‐producing clones. The in vitro neutralization activity of Stx2B‐specific mAbs against Stx2 was greater than that of Stx2A‐specific mAbs on HeLa229 cells. Furthermore, even at low concentrations two of the Stx2B‐specific mAbs (45 and 75D9) completely inhibited receptor binding and showed in vivo neutralization activity against a fivefold median lethal dose of Stx2 in mice. In western blot analysis, these Stx2B‐specific neutralization antibodies did not react to three different mutant forms of Stx2, each amino acid residue of which was associated with receptor binding. Additionally, the nucleotide sequences of the V_H and V_L regions of clones 45 and 75D9 were determined. Our Stx2B‐specific mAbs may be new candidates for the development of mouse‐human chimeric Stx2‐neutralizing antibodies which have fewer adverse effects than animal antibodies for enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection.     

Rapid progression is associated with lymphoid follicle dysfunction in SIV-infected infant rhesus macaques

HIV-infected infants are at an increased risk of progressing rapidly to AIDS in the first weeks of life. Here, we evaluated immunological and virological parameters in 25 SIV-infected infant rhesus macaques to understand the factors influencing a rapid disease outcome. Infant macaques were infected with SIVmac251 and monitored for 10 to 17 weeks post-infection. SIV-infected infants were divided into either typical (TypP) or rapid (RP) progressor groups based on levels of plasma anti-SIV antibody and viral load, with RP infants having low SIV-specific antibodies and high viral loads. Following SIV infection, 11 out of 25 infant macaques exhibited an RP phenotype. Interestingly, TypP had lower levels of total CD4 T cells, similar reductions in CD4/CD8 ratios and elevated activation of CD8 T cells, as measured by the levels of HLA-DR, compared to RP. Differences between the two groups were identified in other immune cell populations, including a failure to expand activated memory (CD21-CD27+) B cells in peripheral blood in RP infant macaques, as well as reduced levels of germinal center (GC) B cells and T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in spleens (4- and 10-weeks post-SIV). Reduced B cell proliferation in splenic germinal GCs was associated with increased SIV+ cell density and follicular type 1 interferon (IFN)-induced immune activation. Further analyses determined that at 2-weeks post SIV infection TypP infants exhibited elevated levels of the GC-inducing chemokine CXCL13 in plasma, as well as significantly lower levels of viral envelope diversity compared to RP infants. Our findings provide evidence that early viral and immunologic events following SIV infection contributes to impairment of B cells, Tfh cells and germinal center formation, ultimately impeding the development of SIV-specific antibody responses in rapidly progressing infant macaques.     

噬菌体随机肽库筛选抗志贺样毒素Ⅱ结合亚单位Stx2B的单抗的识别表位

目的利用噬菌体随机肽库技术筛选志贺样毒素Ⅱ结合亚单位Stx2B的单抗的识别表位。方法以抗志贺样毒素Ⅱ结合亚单位Stx2B的单克隆抗体筛选噬菌体随机12肽库,挑取阳性克隆测定DNA序列,推导其氨基酸序列并进行同源性分析。通过ELISA鉴定获得的噬菌体短肽与单抗之间的结合特性。结果从噬菌体随机12肽库中筛选出20株可与抗志贺样毒素Ⅱ结合亚单位Stx2B的单抗特异结合的噬菌体克隆,其中多数克隆呈现核心序列WTSRW（Q）,该序列与志贺样毒素Ⅱ结合亚单位Stx2B的一级序列具有一定的同源性。结论WTSRW（Q）序列是志贺样毒素Ⅱ结合亚单位Stx2B单抗的识别表位。     

Activation of the caspase cascade during Stx1-induced apoptosis in Burkitt's lymphoma cells

Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) produced by Escherichia coli has been reported to induce apoptosis in many different cell types, including Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cells. Since it has been established that the caspases play essential roles as the effector molecules in the apoptotic process in most cases, we examined the kinetics of caspase activation during the process of Stx1-mediated apoptosis of BL cells. Using Ramos BL cells that are highly sensitive to Stx1-mediated cytotoxicity, we observed that multiple caspases, including caspase-3, -7, and -8 were promptly activated following Stx1 treatment, as indicated by both the procaspase cleavages and enhancement of cleavage of the tetrapeptide substrates of the caspases. In addition, the inhibition assay revealed that caspase-8 is located upstream of both caspase-3 and -7, suggesting that Stx1-mediated apoptosis utilizes a similar caspase cascade to that involved in Fas-mediated apoptosis. Neither anti-Fas mAb nor TNF-alpha, however, affected the Stx1-mediated apoptosis of Ramos cells. Although the precise mechanism of Stx1-mediated activation of caspase-8 is still unclear, we have demonstrated that crosslinkage of CD77, a functional receptor for Stx1, with specific antibody is sufficient to induce activation of caspase-8. Our findings should provide new insight into the understanding of the molecular basis of Stx1-mediated cell injury.     

Bm1-Bm5 classification of peripheral blood B cells reveals circulating germinal center founder cells in healthy individuals and disturbance in the B cell subpopulations in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

Analyses of B cells in the bone marrow and secondary lymphoid tissues have revealed a broad range of cell surface markers defining B cell subpopulations, but only a few of these have been used to analyze B cell subpopulations in peripheral blood (PB). We report here the delineation of circulating PB B cell subpopulations by staining for CD19, CD38, and IgD in combination with CD10, CD44, CD77, CD95, CD23, IgM, and the B cell memory marker CD27. The utility of this approach is shown by the demonstration of disturbances of circulating B cell subpopulations in patients with autoimmune disease. Five mature B cell (Bm) subpopulations were identified in normal PB that were comparable with the tonsillar Bm1, Bm2, early Bm5, Bm5 subpopulations and, surprisingly, to the germinal center (GC) founder cell subpopulation (Bm2' and Bm3delta-4delta), suggesting that some GC founder cells are circulating. No PB B cells resembled the Bm3 and Bm4 GC cells. Remarkably, some cells with the CD38-IgD+ phenotype, previously known as naive Bm1 cells, expressed CD27. The CD38-IgD+ subpopulation therefore includes both naive Bm1 cells and IgD+ memory B cells. This new classification of B cell developmental stages reveals disturbances in the proportions of B cell subpopulations in primary Sj?gren's syndrome (pSS) patients compared with healthy donors and rheumatoid arthritis patients. Patients with pSS contained a significantly higher percentage of B cells in two activated stages, which might reflect a disturbance in B cell trafficking and/or alteration in B cell differentiation. These findings could be of diagnostic significance for pSS.     

Functional properties of human germinal center B cells.

Germinal centers (GCs) are histologically defined areas where B cells undergo extensive proliferation and maturation, or die of apoptosis. GC B cells isolated from human tonsils can be phenotypically identified by expression of peanut agglutinin (PNA)-binding sites and can be further divided into subpopulations based on their expression of CD77. To assess the functional potential of GC B cells, we studied CD77+ PNA+ B cells isolated from tonsils by examining their differentiation status and their ability to proliferate in vitro to various cytokines and costimulants. We found that CD77+ GC B cells are less differentiated than CD77- GC B cells; GC B cells less frequently express cytoplasmic IgG and IgM, and spontaneously secrete less Ig compared to CD77- GC B cells. To identify conditions capable of inducing GC B cell proliferation, we examined IL-4, IL-2, IFN-gamma, low molecular weight BCGF (LMW-BCGF), and an MLR supernatant along with costimulants such as anti-IgM antibody, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC), PMA, and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). While non-GC B cells proliferate strongly in response to these stimuli, GC B cells did not proliferate. However, CD77+ as well as CD77- GC B cells mounted a rapid and strong proliferative response upon stimulation with IL-4, but only in the presence of anti-CD40 antibody. Moreover, although nine additional cytokines were examined, only IL-4 was capable of supporting CD77+ GC B cell proliferation in the presence of anti-CD40 antibody. When cells were stimulated with IL-4 and anti-CD40 antibody, we also found that IFN-gamma consistently decreased the proliferative response of CD77+ GC B cells without affecting the response of non-GC B cells. Taken together, these data indicate that GC B cells have characteristic growth requirements and that IL-4 may be important for GC B cell growth in vivo.     

Expression of toll-like receptors on B lymphocytes

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of trans-membrane receptors that play an important role in the innate immune system. Most studies examining the cellular expression of TLRs on immune cells have focussed on neutrophils, monocytes and dendritic cells, but there is little evidence of TLRs being expressed on lymphocytes. Using 3-colour flow cytometry, expression of TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-4, and TLR-9 on peripheral blood lymphocyte populations was determined. Further examination of TLRs on CD5- and CD5+ CD19+ B cell subsets was performed. The binding of TLR1 and TLR9 antibodies was detected on 15-90% of resting B cells, but not on resting T-cells. The higher expression of TLR1 and TLR9 on CD5+ B cells compared to CD5- B cells may reflect the role of B1 cells in more primitive, less specific antibody responses.     

CD77-dependent retrograde transport of CD19 to the nuclear membrane: Functional relationship between CD77 and CD19 during germinal center B-cell apoptosis

A region of the N-terminal extracellular domain of the B-cell restricted cell differentiation antigen, CD19, has high amino acid sequence similarity to the receptor binding subunit B of verotoxin 1 (VT), an Escherichia coli elaborated cytotoxin, which specifically binds to the cell surface glycolipid, globotriaosylceramide, also known as the germinal center (GC) B-cell differentiation antigen, CD77. We have previously provided evidence of the association of CD19 and CD77 on the cell surface and in CD19-mediated homotypic adhesion of the Daudi Burkitt Lymphoma cell line, one normal counterpart of which is a subset of GC B cells. Evidence for the role of CD77 in CD19-induced apoptosis is now presented. Initial cell surface distribution, antibody-induced redistribution, internalization, and intracellular routing of CD19 were studied by confocal microscopy, IF, and postembedding IEM in CD77^+ve and CD77^−ve cells to investigate the possible role of CD77 in CD19 internalization and signaling. Daudi Burkitt's lymphoma cells were used as CD77^+ve cells and as CD77^−ve cells, Daudi mutant VT500 cells, and Daudi cells treated with PPMP, an inhibitor of CD77 synthesis, were used. Antibody ligated CD19 surface redistribution, internalization, and subcellular distribution of internalized CD19 was found to be different in CD77^+ve and CD77^−ve cells. A delay in internalization of antibody-CD19 complex was observed in CD77^−ve cells. Internalized CD19 was targeted to the nuclear envelope in CD77^+ve cells in a manner similar to that reported for VT, but not in CD77^−ve cells. Internalization of CD77 by ligation with verotoxin prevented the internalization of ligated CD19. Induction of apoptosis following crosslinking of cell surface CD19 was greater in CD77^+ve cells than in CD77^−ve cells. The nuclear targeting of internalized CD19 and induction of apoptosis following CD19 crosslinking only in CD77^+ve cells indicates a role for CD77-dependent CD19 retrograde transport from the B cell surface via the ER to the nuclear envelope in CD19-mediated signal transduction for apoptosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 176:281–292, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

An HIV-1 Envelope Immunogen with W427S Mutation in CD4 Binding Site Induced More T Follicular Helper Memory Cells and Reduced Non-Specific Antibody Responses

The CD4 binding site (CD4BS) of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) contains epitopes for broadly neutralizing antibody (nAb) and is the target for the vaccine development. However, the CD4BS core including residues 425-430 overlaps the B cell superantigen site and may be related to B cell exhaustion in HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, production of nAb and high-affinity plasma cells needs germinal center reaction and the help of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. We believe that strengthening the ability of Env CD4BS in inducing Tfh response and decreasing the effects of the superantigen are the strategies for eliciting nAb and development of HIV-1 vaccine. We constructed a gp120 mutant W427S of an HIV-1 primary R5 strain and examined its ability in the elicitation of Ab and the production of Tfh by immunization of BALB/c mice. We found that the trimeric wild-type gp120 can induce more non-specific antibody-secreting plasma cells, higher serum IgG secretion, and more Tfh cells by splenocyte. The modified W427S gp120 elicits higher levels of specific binding antibodies as well as nAbs though it produces less Tfh cells. Furthermore, higher Tfh cell frequency does not correlate to the specific binding Abs or nAbs indicating that the wild-type gp120 induced some non-specific Tfh that did not contribute to the production of specific Abs. This gp120 mutant led to more memory Tfh production, especially, the effector memory Tfh cells. Taken together, W427S gp120 could induce higher level of specific binding and neutralizing Ab production that may be associated with the reduction of non-specific Tfh but strengthening of the memory Tfh.     

Why do B cells produce CD40 ligand?

The CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction is one of the most important receptor-ligand interactions that occurs during a T dependent immune response. However, while CD40L is expressed on a range of cell types including activated T cells and B cells, dendritic cells granulocytes, macrophages and platelets, only CD40L on T cells is considered by most immunologists when planning experiments or analysing data. The current theory professes that T cells expressing CD40L can provide signals to B cells that induce proliferation, immunoglobulin class switching, antibody secretion, rescue from apoptosis at different times during the life of a B cell and also has a role in the development of germinal centres and the survival of memory B cells. However, the whole story is more complex than presently understood as human and mouse B cells express CD40L on their surface following activation and can release a soluble form of the ligand. This paper hypothesizes how CD40L on B cells may regulate antibody responses and the development of germinal centres.     

Th17 Effector Cells Support B Cell Responses Outside of Germinal Centres

Th17 cells are pro-inflammatory CD4⁺T cells, which are important in immune responses against fungal pathogens and extracellular bacteria and have also been implicated in various autoimmune syndromes. However, their role in supporting B cell responses in these scenarios remains unclear, representing a significant lapse in our understanding of the role Th17 play in vaccine responses and the regulation of autoimmunity. We employed T cell and B cell receptor transgenic mice specific for model antigens, and adoptive transfer approaches that allowed the tracking of cognate B and T cells in situ and ex vivo using immunological methods. We have found that T cells activated under Th17 polarising conditions have a greater capacity to provide cognate B cell help compared with Th1 polarised populations, supporting higher expansion of antigen specific B cells and enhanced antibody titres. This advantage is associated with the increased persistence of Th17 polarised cells in areas of the lymph nodes where they can provide help (i.e. the B cell follicles). Also the Th17 cells are characterised by their higher expression of ICOS, a costimulatory molecule important for B cell help. Surprisingly, contrary to published reports, Th17 cells were not detected inside germinal centres, although they were found in close proximity to cognate B cells in the follicle early in the genesis of the humoral immune response. These data indicate that, Th17 cells have a more significant role earlier in the initiation/development of the germinal centre response and/or germinal centre-independent events, consistent with their early effector status.     

Characterization of clathrin and Syk interaction upon Shiga toxin binding

Shiga toxin (Stx) is a bacterial toxin that binds to its receptor Gb3 at the plasma membrane. It is taken up by endocytosis and transported retrogradely via the Golgi apparatus to the endoplasmic reticulum. The toxin is then translocated to the cytosol where it exerts its toxic effect. We have previously shown that phosphorylation of clathrin heavy chain (CHC) is an early event following Stx binding to HeLa cells, and that this requires the activity of the tyrosine kinase Syk. Here, we have investigated this event in more detail in the B lymphoid cell line Ramos, which expresses high endogenous levels of both Syk and Gb3. We report that efficient endocytosis of Stx in Ramos cells requires Syk activity and that Syk is recruited to the uptake site of Stx. Furthermore, in response to Stx treatment, CHC and Syk were rapidly phosphorylated in a Src family kinase dependent manner at Y1477 and Y352, respectively. We show that these phosphorylated residues act as binding sites for the direct interaction between Syk and CHC. Interestingly, Syk–CHC complex formation could be induced by both Stx and B cell receptor stimulation.     

Idiotype and antigen-specific T cell responses in mice on immunization with antigen, antibody, and anti-idiotypic antibody.

Idiotypic determinants of immunoglobulin molecules can evoke both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T responses and exist not only as the integral components of a bona fide antigen binding receptor but also as distinct molecular entities in the processed forms on the cell surface of B lymphocytes. The present work provides experimental evidence for the concept that regulation of memory B cell populations can be achieved through the presentation of idiotypic and anti-idiotypic determinants to helper and cytotoxic cell. The potential of B cells to present antigens to helper and cytotoxic T cells through class II and class I MHC suggests a mechanism by which both B and T cell homeostasis can be maintained. We provide evidence for the generation of idiotype- and antigen-specific Th and Tc cells upon immunization of syngenic mice with antigen or idiotypic antibody (Ab1) or anti-idiotypic antibody (Ab2). The selective activation and proliferation of the antigen-specific Th and Tc cells mediated by idiotypic stimulation observed in these experiments suggests a B-cell-driven mechanism for the maintenance of antigen-specific T cell memory in the absence of antigenic stimulation, under certain conditions.     

A novel CD8 T cell-restricted CD45RB epitope shared by CD43 is differentially affected by glycosylation.

The mAb 1B11 has been characterized as recognizing the activation-associated glycoform of murine CD43, a heavily O-glycosylated protein implicated in leukocyte homing. When hemopoietic cells from CD43-/- mice were stained with 1B11, CD43-independent binding of 1B11 was observed on peripheral CD8 T cells and at low levels on thymocytes, while no binding was detected on CD4 T cells, B cells, or bone marrow cells. Levels of 1B11 staining were comparable in lymph node CD8+ T cells from both CD43-/- mice and CD43+/+ mice. We sought to identify the CD43-independent target of 1B11 expressed on CD8 T cells. Previous work had demonstrated that neuraminidase treatment of lymph node cells (LNC) enhanced 1B11 binding on CD43+/+ LNC; this enhancement was also observed in CD43-/- LNC. We show that neuraminidase-enhanced 1B11 binding in CD43-/- LNC and EL4 thymoma cells is CD43 independent and that 1B11 detects a novel target of apparent mass of approximately 200 kDa identified as a hyposialylated form of CD45RB preferentially expressed on peripheral CD8, but not CD4, T cells. Our data also show that the recognition of CD43 and CD45RB by 1B11 is differentially affected by O-linked glycosylation and sialic acid. Whereas 1B11 recognition of CD43 on activated T cells required both core 2 O-glycan branching and sialic acid, 1B11 recognition of CD45 only occurred in the absence of both core 2 glycosylation and sialic acid.     

Mouse lymph node germinal centers contain a selected subset of T cells--the helper phenotype

Cells staining for Lyt-1 are more frequent than cells staining for Lyt-2 in both primary follicles and the cuffs of secondary follicles; there is an even more striking predominance of cells bearing only Lyt-1 in germinal centers. In addition, there is an increase in the total percentage of cells bearing T cell antigens in germinal centers compared to primary follicles. These differences in phenotype and distribution of T cell populations indicate the T cells in B cell areas, and especially in germinal centers, are not randomly selected, but rather represent a specific subpopulation of T cells enriched for the helper phenotype (Lyt-1+2-), perhaps involved in the development and/or function of germinal centers.