TNF-? Contributes to Lymphoid Tissue Disorganization and Germinal Center B Cell Suppression during Intracellular Bacterial Infection.
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ABSTRACT: Bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections are well-known causes of lymphoid tissue disorganization, although the factors, both host and/or pathogen derived, that mediate these changes are largely unknown. Ehrlichia muris infection in mice causes a loss of germinal center (GC) B cells that is accompanied by the generation of extrafollicular T-bet+ CD11c+ plasmablasts and IgM memory B cells. We addressed a possible role for TNF-? in this process because this cytokine has been shown to regulate GC development. Ablation of TNF-? during infection resulted in an 8-fold expansion of GL7+ CD38lo CD95+ GC B cells, and a 2.5- and 5-fold expansion of CD138+ plasmablasts and T-bet+ memory cells, respectively. These changes were accompanied by a reduction in splenomegaly, more organized T and B cell zones, and an improved response to Ag challenge. CXCL13, the ligand for CXCR5, was detected at 6-fold higher levels following infection but was much reduced following TNF-? ablation, suggesting that CXCL13 dysregulation also contributes to loss of lymphoid tissue organization. T follicular helper cells, which also underwent expansion in infected TNF-?--deficient mice, may also have contributed to the expansion of T-bet+ B cells, as the latter are known to require T cell help. Our findings contrast with previously described roles for TNF-? in GCs and reveal how host-pathogen interactions can induce profound changes in cytokine and chemokine production that can alter lymphoid tissue organization, GC B cell development, and extrafollicular T-bet+ B cell generation.
SUBMITTER: Popescu M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6810925 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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