Local T/B cooperation in inflamed tissues is supported by T follicular helper-like cells

Nat Commun. 2016 Feb 26:7:10875. doi: 10.1038/ncomms10875.

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory conditions are characterized by large lymphocytic tissue infiltrates in which T and B cells can be found in close contact. Here, using a murine airway inflammation model, we compare antigen-specific T and B cells in lung tissue versus lung-draining lymph node. In the lung we identify a B-cell population exhibiting a classical germinal centre phenotype without being organized into ectopic lymphoid tissue. By contrast, classical CXCR5(+) Bcl-6(+) T follicular helper cells are not present. Nevertheless, lung-infiltrating T cells exhibit follicular helper-like properties including the potential to provide help to naive B cells. The lung tissue is also a survival niche for memory T and B cells remaining in residual peribronchial infiltrates after resolution of inflammation. Collectively, this study shows the importance of T/B cooperation not only in lymph nodes but also in inflamed peripheral tissues for local antibody responses to infection and autoimmunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / immunology
  • Autoimmunity / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Germinal Center / immunology*
  • Inflammation
  • Lung / immunology*
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Cooperation / immunology*
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Ovalbumin / toxicity
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced
  • Pneumonia / immunology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*

Substances

  • CXCR5 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • Ovalbumin