Regulatory B Cells (B10 Cells) Have a Suppressive Role in Murine Lupus: CD19 and B10 Cell Deficiency Exacerbates Systemic Autoimmunity

Abstract

B cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis of lupus. To examine the influence of B cells on disease pathogenesis in a murine lupus model, New Zealand Black and New Zealand White F₁ hybrid (NZB/W) mice were generated that were deficient for CD19 (CD19^−/− NZB/W mice), a B cell-specific cell surface molecule that is essential for optimal B cell signal transduction. The emergence of anti-nuclear Abs was significantly delayed in CD19^−/− NZB/W mice compared with wild type NZB/W mice. However, the pathologic manifestations of nephritis appeared significantly earlier, and survival was significantly reduced in CD19^−/− NZB/W mice compared with wild type mice. These results demonstrate both disease-promoting and protective roles for B cells in lupus pathogenesis. Recent studies have identified a potent regulatory B cell subset (B10 cells) within the rare CD1d^hiCD5⁺ B cell subset of the spleen that regulates acute inflammation and autoimmunity through the production of IL-10. In wild type NZB/W mice, the CD1d^hiCD5⁺B220⁺ B cell subset that includes B10 cells was increased by 2.5-fold during the disease course, whereas CD19^−/− NZB/W mice lacked this CD1d^hiCD5⁺ regulatory B cell subset. However, the transfer of splenic CD1d^hiCD5⁺ B cells from wild type NZB/W mice into CD19^−/− NZB/W recipients significantly prolonged their survival. Furthermore, regulatory T cells were significantly decreased in CD19^−/− NZB/W mice, but the transfer of wild type CD1d^hiCD5⁺ B cells induced T regulatory cell expansion in CD19^−/− NZB/W mice. These results demonstrate an important protective role for regulatory B10 cells in this systemic autoimmune disease.