B cells inhibit bone formation in rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing osteoblast differentiation

Nat Commun. 2018 Dec 3;9(1):5127. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-07626-8.

Abstract

The function of B cells in osteoblast (OB) dysfunction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been well-studied. Here we show that B cells are enriched in the subchondral and endosteal bone marrow (BM) areas adjacent to osteocalcin+ OBs in two murine RA models: collagen-induced arthritis and the TNF-transgenic mice. Subchondral BM B cells in RA mice express high levels of OB inhibitors, CCL3 and TNF, and inhibit OB differentiation by activating ERK and NF-κB signaling pathways. The inhibitory effect of RA B cells on OB differentiation is blocked by CCL3 and TNF neutralization, and deletion of CCL3 and TNF in RA B cells completely rescues OB function in vivo, while B cell depletion attenuates bone erosion and OB inhibition in RA mice. Lastly, B cells from RA patients express CCL3 and TNF and inhibit OB differentiation, with these effects ameliorated by CCL3 and TNF neutralization. Thus, B cells inhibit bone formation in RA by producing multiple OB inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Experimental / immunology
  • Arthritis, Experimental / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow / immunology
  • Bone Marrow / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Osteoblasts / immunology*
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Osteoblasts / pathology
  • Osteogenesis / immunology*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha