B cells expressing the transcription factor T-bet drive lupus-like autoimmunity

J Clin Invest. 2017 Apr 3;127(4):1392-1404. doi: 10.1172/JCI91250. Epub 2017 Feb 27.

Abstract

B cells contribute to multiple aspects of autoimmune disorders and may play a role in triggering disease. Thus, targeting B cells may be a promising strategy for treating autoimmune disorders. Better understanding of the B cell subsets that are responsible for the development of autoimmunity will be critical for developing efficient therapies. Here we have reported that B cells expressing the transcription factor T-bet promote the rapid appearance of autoantibodies and germinal centers in spontaneous murine models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Conditional deletion of T-bet from B cells impaired the formation of germinal centers and mitigated the development of kidney damage and rapid mortality in SLE mice. B cell-specific deletion of T-bet was also associated with lower activation of both B cells and T cells. Taken together, our results suggest that targeting T-bet-expressing B cells may be a potential target for therapy for autoimmune diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Autoimmunity*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Germinal Center / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney / physiopathology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / blood
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / genetics
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • T-Box Domain Proteins
  • T-box transcription factor TBX21