PD-1 regulates germinal center B cell survival and the formation and affinity of long-lived plasma cells

Nat Immunol. 2010 Jun;11(6):535-42. doi: 10.1038/ni.1877. Epub 2010 May 9.

Abstract

Memory B and plasma cells (PCs) are generated in the germinal center (GC). Because follicular helper T cells (T(FH) cells) have high expression of the immunoinhibitory receptor PD-1, we investigated the role of PD-1 signaling in the humoral response. We found that the PD-1 ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 were upregulated on GC B cells. Mice deficient in PD-L2 (Pdcd1lg2(-/-)), PD-L1 and PD-L2 (Cd274(-/-)Pdcd1lg2(-/-)) or PD-1 (Pdcd1(-/-)) had fewer long-lived PCs. The mechanism involved more GC cell death and less T(FH) cell cytokine production in the absence of PD-1; the effect was selective, as remaining PCs had greater affinity for antigen. PD-1 expression on T cells and PD-L2 expression on B cells controlled T(FH) cell and PC numbers. Thus, PD-1 regulates selection and survival in the GC, affecting the quantity and quality of long-lived PCs.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / genetics
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Survival
  • Germinal Center / cytology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Plasma Cells / cytology*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Pdcd1 protein, mouse
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor