A granulocyte-macrophage colony–stimulating factor and interleukin-15 fusokine induces a regulatory B cell population with immune suppressive properties

M Rafei, J Hsieh, S Zehntner, MY Li, K Forner… - Nature medicine, 2009 - nature.com
M Rafei, J Hsieh, S Zehntner, MY Li, K Forner, E Birman, MN Boivin, YK Young, C Perreault
Nature medicine, 2009nature.com
We have previously shown that a granulocyte-macrophage colony–stimulating factor (GM-
CSF) and interleukin-15 (IL-15)'fusokine'(GIFT15) exerts immune suppression via aberrant
signaling through the IL-15 receptor on lymphomyeloid cells. We show here that ex vivo
GIFT15 treatment of mouse splenocytes generates suppressive regulatory cells of B cell
ontogeny (hereafter called GIFT15 Breg cells). Arising from CD19+ B cells, GIFT15 Breg
cells express major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) and MHCII, surface IgM and …
Abstract
We have previously shown that a granulocyte-macrophage colony–stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-15 (IL-15) 'fusokine' (GIFT15) exerts immune suppression via aberrant signaling through the IL-15 receptor on lymphomyeloid cells. We show here that ex vivo GIFT15 treatment of mouse splenocytes generates suppressive regulatory cells of B cell ontogeny (hereafter called GIFT15 Breg cells). Arising from CD19+ B cells, GIFT15 Breg cells express major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) and MHCII, surface IgM and IgD, and secrete IL-10, akin to previously described B10 and T2-MZP Breg cells, but lose expression of the transcription factor PAX5, coupled to upregulation of CD138 and reciprocal suppression of CD19. Mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis went into complete remission after intravenous infusion of GIFT15 Breg cells paralleled by suppressed neuroinflammation. The clinical effect was abolished when GIFT15 Breg cells were derived from mμMT (lacking B cells), MHCII-knockout, signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT-6)-knockout, IL-10–knockout or allogeneic splenocytes, consistent with a pivotal role for MHCII and IL-10 by sygeneic B cells for the observed therapeutic effect. We propose that autologous GIFT15 Breg cells may serve as a new treatment for autoimmune ailments.
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