FcγRIIb differentially regulates pre-immune and germinal center B cell tolerance in mouse and human

Nat Commun. 2019 Apr 29;10(1):1970. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-09434-0.

Abstract

Several tolerance checkpoints exist throughout B cell development to control autoreactive B cells and prevent the generation of pathogenic autoantibodies. FcγRIIb is an Fc receptor that inhibits B cell activation and, if defective, is associated with autoimmune disease, yet its impact on specific B cell tolerance checkpoints is unknown. Here we show that reduced expression of FcγRIIb enhances the deletion and anergy of autoreactive immature B cells, but in contrast promotes autoreactive B cell expansion in the germinal center and serum autoantibody production, even in response to exogenous, non-self antigens. Our data thus show that FcγRIIb has opposing effects on pre-immune and post-immune tolerance checkpoints, and suggest that B cell tolerance requires the control of bystander germinal center B cells with low or no affinity for the immunizing antigen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Germinal Center
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Receptors, IgG / genetics
  • Receptors, IgG / metabolism*
  • Software

Substances

  • Receptors, IgG