Viral double-stranded RNA triggers Ig class switching by activating upper respiratory mucosa B cells through an innate TLR3 pathway involving BAFF

W Xu, PA Santini, AJ Matthews, A Chiu… - The Journal of …, 2008 - journals.aai.org
W Xu, PA Santini, AJ Matthews, A Chiu, A Plebani, B He, K Chen, A Cerutti
The Journal of Immunology, 2008journals.aai.org
Class switch DNA recombination (CSR) from IgM to IgG and IgA is crucial for antiviral
immunity. Follicular B cells undergo CSR upon engagement of CD40 by CD40 ligand on
CD4+ T cells. This T cell-dependent pathway requires 5–7 days, which is too much of a
delay to block quickly replicating pathogens. To compensate for this limitation, extrafollicular
B cells rapidly undergo CSR through a T cell-independent pathway that involves innate Ag
receptors of the TLR family. We found that a subset of upper respiratory mucosa B cells …
Abstract
Class switch DNA recombination (CSR) from IgM to IgG and IgA is crucial for antiviral immunity. Follicular B cells undergo CSR upon engagement of CD40 by CD40 ligand on CD4+ T cells. This T cell-dependent pathway requires 5–7 days, which is too much of a delay to block quickly replicating pathogens. To compensate for this limitation, extrafollicular B cells rapidly undergo CSR through a T cell-independent pathway that involves innate Ag receptors of the TLR family. We found that a subset of upper respiratory mucosa B cells expressed TLR3 and responded to viral dsRNA, a cognate TLR3 ligand. In the presence of dsRNA, mucosal B cells activated NF-κB, a transcription factor critical for CSR. Activation of NF-κB required TRIF (Toll/IL-1R domain-containing protein inducing IFN-β), a canonical TLR3 adapter protein, and caused germline transcription of downstream C H genes as well as expression of AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase), a DNA-editing enzyme essential for CSR. Subsequent IgG and IgA production was enhanced by BAFF (B cell-activating factor of the TNF family), an innate mediator released by TLR3-expressing mucosal dendritic cells. Indeed, these innate immune cells triggered IgG and IgA responses upon exposure to dsRNA. By showing active TLR3 signaling and ongoing CSR in upper respiratory mucosa B cells from patients with CD40 signaling defects, our findings indicate that viral dsRNA may initiate frontline IgG and IgA responses through an innate TLR3-dependent pathway involving BAFF.
journals.aai.org