Accumulation of peripheral autoreactive B cells in the absence of functional human regulatory T cells

Blood. 2013 Feb 28;121(9):1595-603. doi: 10.1182/blood-2012-09-457465. Epub 2012 Dec 5.

Abstract

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an essential role in preventing autoimmunity. Mutations in the forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) gene, which encodes a transcription factor critical for Treg function, result in a severe autoimmune disorder and the production of various autoantibodies in mice and in IPEX (immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked) patients. However, it is unknown whether Tregs normally suppress autoreactive B cells. To investigate a role for Tregs in maintaining human B-cell tolerance, we tested the reactivity of recombinant antibodies isolated from single B cells isolated from IPEX patients. Characteristics and reactivity of antibodies expressed by new emigrant/transitional B cells from IPEX patients were similar to those from healthy donors, demonstrating that defective Treg function does not impact central B-cell tolerance. In contrast, mature naive B cells from IPEX patients often expressed autoreactive antibodies, suggesting an important role for Tregs in maintaining peripheral B-cell tolerance. T cells displayed an activated phenotype in IPEX patients, including their Treg-like cells, and showed up-regulation of CD40L, PD-1, and inducibl T-cell costimulator (ICOS), which may favor the accumulation of autoreactive mature naive B cells in these patients. Hence, our data demonstrate an essential role for Tregs in the establishment and the maintenance of peripheral B-cell tolerance in humans.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Autoimmunity* / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Peripheral Tolerance / immunology
  • Syndrome
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / physiology*
  • X-Linked Combined Immunodeficiency Diseases / immunology
  • X-Linked Combined Immunodeficiency Diseases / pathology