CAV is almost invariably associated with B cell infiltrates in or around coronary arteries as well as in endomyocardial tissue (quilty effect). It s assumed that these cells participate in the rejection process, although a formal demonstration of such contribution is still lacking. On the whole, infiltrating B cells are loosely defined. Their eact phenotype, antigen specificity and possible function are currently unknown. Understanding how B cells contribute to mechanisms of graft rejection would undoubtedly facilitate the development of therapeutic agents to target them and treat rejection. Studies in humans are challenging due to the limited source of samples and the difficulty of setting up techniques to study primary B cells retrieved directly from tissue. For these reasons, the assessment of human graft infiltrating B cells has been limited thus far and most studies have focused on humoral immunity using blood samples. We have begun collecting fresh cardiac graft specimens rejected because of CAV and explanted for re-transplantation through a collaborative network of transplant centers in the USA and Canada. Preliminary experiments using deep sequencing to analyze rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain repertoire in situ demonstrated the massive expansion and somatic mutation of B cell clones in 4 cardiac allografts. We have also started immortalizing B cell clones directly from these cardiac allograft specimens. Our proposed research will characterize these cells, uncover their main function and evaluate their participation in the pathophysiology of CAV.
Aim 1. To characterize the phenotype, clonality and specificity of graft infiltrating B cells during CAV: We will first assess the distribution and phenotype of B cells within the rejected graft tissue. B cell repertoire analyses will then identify predominant B cell clones expanded in situ. In parallel, B cells isolated from explanted grafts will be immortalized and cultured in vitro. Selected clones corresponding to B cells expanded in situ will be further characterized.
Aim 2. To identify the function of antibodies secreted by graft infiltrating B cells during CAV: Monoclonal antibodies secreted by immortalized clones found to be expanded in situ in aim 1, will be assessed for their capacity to form immune complexes and induce cytokine secretion by macrophages in situ as well as facilitate antigen presentation to T cells.
Aim 3. To determine the function of graft infiltrating B cells during CAV: Aside from their capacity to secrete pathogenic antibodies, we will examine whether graft-infiltrating B cells during CAV can uptake and present antigens to T cells. We will also investigate whether B cells can polarize T cell responses in situ. Lastly, we will also examine the role of the complement to modulate these responses.

Public Health Relevance

B cells are consistently observed in graft tissue during cardiac allograft vasculopathy, suggesting a role in this complication. To date, however, their specificity and function remain unclear. Our studies will use patient specimens to characterize these cells and understand how they can contribute to the rejection process.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI116814-03
Application #
9206132
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IMM-M (02)M)
Program Officer
Rice, Jeffrey S
Project Start
2015-08-01
Project End
2020-01-31
Budget Start
2017-02-01
Budget End
2018-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$402,450
Indirect Cost
$139,499
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
Zorn, Emmanuel (2018) New insights on innate B-cell immunity in transplantation. Xenotransplantation 25:e12417
Chatterjee, Debanjana; Moore, Carolina; Gao, Baoshan et al. (2018) Prevalence of polyreactive innate clones among graft--infiltrating B cells in human cardiac allograft vasculopathy. J Heart Lung Transplant 37:385-393
See, Sarah B; Clerkin, Kevin J; Kennel, Peter J et al. (2017) Ventricular assist device elicits serum natural IgG that correlates with the development of primary graft dysfunction following heart transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant 36:862-870
Clerkin, Kevin J; See, Sarah B; Farr, Maryjane A et al. (2017) Comparative Assessment of Anti-HLA Antibodies Using Two Commercially Available Luminex-Based Assays. Transplant Direct 3:e218