Toll-like receptor 2-mediated human B cell differentiation

Clin Immunol. 2006 Sep;120(3):272-84. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2006.04.571.

Abstract

Human B cells likely have a major role in the adjuvant activity of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 agonists by enhancing innate and adaptive immune responses. As several TLR2 ligands are promising vaccine adjuvant candidates, our aim was to characterize the effects of TLR2 stimulation on human B cell activation and differentiation using cells derived from healthy peripheral blood (PB), spleen, and diseased tonsils. We found a subset of partially differentiated TLR2+ PB and splenic B cells which responds to TLR2 agonists by mediating events involved in germinal center formation, such as upregulating CD77 and secreting chemokines. Furthermore, we show that TLR2-activated monocytes induce B cells to secrete significant quantities of IgM. Finally, activated TLR2+ B cells from tonsils are induced to secrete IgM directly by TLR2 ligands. Thus, TLR2 is likely involved in specific B cell-mediated functions and may be a viable vaccine adjuvant target in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, CD19 / blood
  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphoid Tissue / cytology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / agonists
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / biosynthesis
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / immunology*
  • Trihexosylceramides / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • TLR2 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • Trihexosylceramides
  • globotriaosylceramide