An age-related numerical and functional deficit in CD19+CD24hiCD38hiB cells is associated with an increase in systemic autoimmunity

Citation

Duggal NA, Upton J, Phillips AC, Sapey E & Lord JM (2013) An age-related numerical and functional deficit in CD19+CD24hiCD38hiB cells is associated with an increase in systemic autoimmunity. Aging Cell, 12 (5), pp. 873-881. https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.12114

Abstract
Autoimmunity increases with aging indicative of reduced immune tolerance, but the mechanisms involved are poorly defined. In recent years, subsets of B cells with immunoregulatory properties have been identified in murine models of autoimmune disorders, and these cells downregulate immune responses via secretion of IL10. In humans, immature transitional B cells with a CD19+CD24hiCD38hi phenotype have been reported to regulate immune responses via IL10 production. We found the frequency and numbers of CD19+CD24hiCD38hi cells were reduced in the PBMC pool with age. IL10 expression and secretion following activation via either CD40, or Toll-like receptors was also impaired in CD19+CD24hiCD38hi B cells from healthy older donors. When investigating the mechanisms involved, we found that CD19+CD24hiCD38hi B-cell function was compromised by age-related effects on both T cells and B cells: specifically, CD40 ligand expression was lower in CD4 T cells from older donors following CD3 stimulation, and signalling through CD40 was impaired in CD19+CD24hiCD38hi B cells from elders as evidenced by reduced phosphorylation (Y705) and activation of STAT3. However, there was no age-associated change in expression of costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 on CD19+CD24hiCD38hi cells, suggesting IL10-dependent immune suppression is impaired, but contact-dependent suppressive capacity is intact with age. Finally, we found a negative correlation between CD19+CD24hiCD38hi B-cell IL10 production and autoantibody (Rheumatoid factor) levels in older adults. We therefore propose that an age-related decline in CD19+CD24hiCD38hi B cell number and function may contribute towards the increased autoimmunity and reduced immune tolerance seen with aging.

Keywords
autoimmunity; B cells;cellular immunology; inflammation; rheumatoid factor

Journal
Aging Cell: Volume 12, Issue 5

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Professor Anna Whittaker

Professor of Behavioural Medicine, Sport