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Ecto-NTPDase CD39 is a negative checkpoint that inhibits follicular helper cell generation
Wenqiang Cao, … , Cornelia M. Weyand, Jörg J. Goronzy
Wenqiang Cao, … , Cornelia M. Weyand, Jörg J. Goronzy
Published May 26, 2020
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2020;130(7):3422-3436. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI132417.
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Research Article Aging

Ecto-NTPDase CD39 is a negative checkpoint that inhibits follicular helper cell generation

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Abstract

Vaccination is a mainstay in preventive medicine, reducing morbidity and mortality from infection, largely by generating pathogen-specific neutralizing antibodies. However, standard immunization strategies are insufficient with increasing age due to immunological impediments, including defects in T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. Here, we found that Tfh generation is inversely linked to the expression of the ecto-NTPDase CD39 that modifies purinergic signaling. The lineage-determining transcription factor BCL6 inhibited CD39 expression, while increased Tfh frequencies were found in individuals with a germline polymorphism preventing transcription of ENTPD1, encoding CD39. In in vitro human and in vivo mouse studies, Tfh generation and germinal center responses were enhanced by reducing CD39 expression through the inhibition of the cAMP/PKA/p-CREB pathway, or by blocking adenosine signaling downstream of CD39 using the selective adenosine A2a receptor antagonist istradefylline. Thus, purinergic signaling in differentiating T cells can be targeted to improve vaccine responses, in particular in older individuals who have increased CD39 expression.

Authors

Wenqiang Cao, Fengqin Fang, Timothy Gould, Xuanying Li, Chulwoo Kim, Claire Gustafson, Simon Lambert, Cornelia M. Weyand, Jörg J. Goronzy

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Figure 5

Mechanisms underlying CD39-mediated reduced generation of human Tfh cells.

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Mechanisms underlying CD39-mediated reduced generation of human Tfh cell...
(A) Human naive CD4+ T cells cultured under Tfh conditions in the presence or absence of P2X channel blockers (oATP, A438079) or the activator BzATP for 5 days. Frequencies of ICOS+CXCR5+ cells as percentage of CD4+ cells are shown as representative contour plots and summary data from 4 experiments. (B) Human total T cells of the different ENTPD1 SNP genotypes were cultured under Tfh conditions with indicated blocking antibody for 5 days. Frequencies of ICOS CXCR5+ cells as percentage of CD4+ cells are shown as contour plots for an individual typing AG for the ENTPD1 SNP (left); fold increases of ICOS+CXCR5+ T cell frequencies due to CD39 or CD73 blocking are compared for AA versus AG/GG donors (right). (C) Human naive CD4+ cells were activated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 beads and in parallel transduced with Ctrl or ENTPD1-expressing lentivirus. On day 1.5, cells were enriched for successfully transduced GFP+ cells and then cultured on anti-CD3–coated plates in the presence of isotype control or anti-CD73 antibodies under Tfh condition for a total of 5 days. Results are shown as representative contour plots (left) and data from 3 experiments (right). (D) Human naive CD4+ cells were cultured under Tfh conditions with indicated small molecules for 5 days; cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Representative contour plots and data from 5 experiments are shown. Data are shown as mean ± SEM and were compared by 2-tailed unpaired t test (A–C) or 1-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey’s test (D). *P < 0.05, **P ≤ 0.01; ***P ≤ 0.001. NS, not significant.

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