Human regulatory memory B cells defined by expression of TIM-1 and TIGIT are dysfunctional in multiple sclerosis

Johnna F. Varghese, Belinda J. Kaskow, Felipe von Glehn, Junning Case, Zhenhua Li, Amélie M. Julé, Emma Berdan, Shannan Janelle Ho Sui, Yong Hu, Rajesh Krishnan, Tanuja Chitnis, Vijay K. Kuchroo, Howard L. Weiner, Clare Mary Baecher-Allan

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Background: Regulatory B cells (Bregs) play a pivotal role in suppressing immune responses, yet there is still a lack of cell surface markers that can rigorously identify them. In mouse models for multiple sclerosis (MS), TIM-1 or TIGIT expression on B cells is required for maintaining self-tolerance and regulating autoimmunity to the central nervous system. Here we investigated the activities of human memory B cells that differentially express TIM-1 and TIGIT to determine their potential regulatory function in healthy donors and patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. Methods: FACS-sorted TIM-1+/-TIGIT+/- memory B (memB) cells co-cultured with allogenic CD4+ T cells were analyzed for proliferation and induction of inflammatory markers using flow cytometry and cytokine quantification, to determine Th1/Th17 cell differentiation. Transcriptional differences were assessed by SMARTSeq2 RNA sequencing analysis. Results: TIM-1-TIGIT- double negative (DN) memB cells strongly induce T cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. The TIM-1+ memB cells enabled low levels of CD4+ T cell activation and gave rise to T cells that co-express IL-10 with IFNγ and IL-17A or FoxP3. T cells cultured with the TIM-1+TIGIT+ double positive (DP) memB cells exhibited reduced proliferation and IFNγ, IL-17A, TNFα, and GM-CSF expression, and exhibited strong regulation in Breg suppression assays. The functional activity suggests the DP memB cells are a bonafide Breg population. However, MS DP memB cells were less inhibitory than HC DP memB cells. A retrospective longitudinal study of anti-CD20 treated patients found that post-treatment DP memB cell frequency and absolute number were associated with response to therapy. Transcriptomic analyses indicated that the dysfunctional MS-derived DP memB/Breg population exhibited increased expression of genes associated with T cell activation and survival (CD80, ZNF10, PIK3CA), and had distinct gene expression compared to the TIGIT+ or TIM-1+ memB cells. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that TIM-1/TIGIT expressing memory B cell subsets have distinct functionalities. Co-expression of TIM-1 and TIGIT defines a regulatory memory B cell subset that is functionally impaired in MS.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number1360219
    Number of pages15
    JournalFrontiers in Immunology
    Volume15
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 30 Apr 2024

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Human regulatory memory B cells defined by expression of TIM-1 and TIGIT are dysfunctional in multiple sclerosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this