B cells promote induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by facilitating reactivation of T cells in the central nervous system.
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ABSTRACT: The efficacy of rituximab treatment in multiple sclerosis has renewed interest in the role of B cells in CNS autoimmunity. In this study, we show that B cells are the predominant MHC class II(+) subset in the naive CNS in mice, and they constitutively express proinflammatory cytokines. Incidence of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced by adoptive transfer was significantly reduced in C3HeB/Fej ?MT (B cell-deficient) mice, suggesting an important role for CNS B cells in initiating inflammatory responses. Initial T cell infiltration of the CNS occurred normally in ?MT mice; however, lack of production of T cell cytokines and other immune mediators indicated impaired T cell reactivation. Subsequent recruitment of immune cells from the periphery driven by this initial T cell reactivation did not occur in ?MT mice. B cells required exogenous IL-1? to reactivate Th17 but not Th1 cells in vitro. Similarly, reactivation of Th1 cells infiltrating the CNS was selectively impaired compared with Th17 cells in ?MT mice, causing an increased Th17/Th1 ratio in the CNS at experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis onset and enhanced brain inflammation. These studies reveal an important role for B cells within the CNS in reactivating T cells and influencing the clinical manifestation of disease.
SUBMITTER: Pierson ER
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3934009 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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