Thymic B Cells Promote Germinal Center-Like Structures and the Expansion of Follicular Helper T Cells in Lupus-Prone Mice

Yessia Hidalgo, Sarah Núñez, Maria Jose Fuenzalida, Felipe Flores-Santibáñez, Pablo J. Sáez, Jessica Dorner, Ana Maria Lennon-Dumenil, Victor Martínez, Emmanuel Zorn, Mario Rosemblatt, Daniela Sauma*, Maria Rosa Bono

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the activation of autoreactive T and B cells, autoantibody production, and immune complex deposition in various organs. Previous evidence showed abnormal accumulation of B cells in the thymus of lupus-prone mice, but the role of this population in the progression of the disease remains mostly undefined. Here we analyzed the spatial distribution, function, and properties of this thymic B cell population in the BWF1 murine model of SLE. We found that in diseased animals, thymic B cells proliferate, and cluster in structures that resemble ectopic germinal centers. Moreover, we detected antibody-secreting cells in the thymus of diseased-BWF1 mice that produce anti-dsDNA IgG autoantibodies. We also found that thymic B cells from diseased-BWF1 mice induced the differentiation of thymocytes to follicular helper T cells (TFH). These data suggest that the accumulation of B cells in the thymus of BWF1 mice results in the formation of germinal center-like structures and the expansion of a TFH population, which may, in turn, activate and differentiate B cells into autoreactive plasma cells. Therefore, the thymus emerges as an important niche that supports the maintenance of the pathogenic humoral response in the development of murine SLE.

Original languageEnglish
Article number696
JournalFrontiers in Immunology
Volume11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright © 2020 Hidalgo, Núñez, Fuenzalida, Flores-Santibáñez, Sáez, Dorner, Lennon-Dumenil, Martínez, Zorn, Rosemblatt, Sauma and Bono.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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