Germinal centers (GC) are regions in lymphoid organs where activated B cells are selected for their ability to bind antigen with high affinity as well as generate memory B cells and high affinity antibodies. GC B cells have the unique ability to improve their affinity to the immunizing antigen during an immune response through a process of somatic hypermutation and selection. Although somatic hypermutation targets the immunoglobulin genes, off-target mutations also occur and contribute to the malignant transformation of GC B cells into a subset of non-Hodgkin B cell lymphomas. Our understanding of GC B cell biology has been greatly enriched by understanding how such mutations over-ride the normal constraints to GC B cell growth. For instance, our lab has shown S1PR2?s role in confining GC B cells to the GC and inhibiting growth by antagonizing Akt signaling. HVEM, a TNF receptor superfamily member (also called TNFRSF14), is frequently mutated in germinal center (GC) derived non-Hodgkin B cell lymphomas such as follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The mutations found in HVEM are predicted to lead to loss of the protein?s function, suggesting an important growth regulatory role for HVEM in GC B cells. However, HVEM?s function in B cells has not been directly examined. HVEM is highly expressed on follicular B cells and is expressed at a lower level on GC B cells, possibly suggesting an advantage to more finely tuned signaling in the GC. In preliminary studies we have found that deficiency in HVEM results in a cell intrinsic expansion of GC B cells. Of HVEM?s binding partners, the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily co-inhibitory receptor B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is most highly expressed in the GC. BTLA is highly expressed on T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and BTLA deficiency in antigen- specific CD4+ T cells increases IL-21 production and GC B cell expansion, suggesting a regulatory role of BTLA on Tfh cells. Tfh cells have a crucial role in GC B cell selection and several molecular regulators have been shown to tune the degree of T cell help provided to the GC B cell. We hypothesize that HVEM acts as a suppressor of GC B cell responses through its interaction with BTLA, a potential negative regulator of B and T cell engagement. Specifically, we aim to assess how HVEM regulates the magnitude of the GC B cell response and if it impacts the induction of long-lived humoral immunity (1); and to examine if BTLA expression on T follicular helper cells moderates the amount of T cell help during the GC reaction (2). This work will define a novel negative regulator of the GC B cell response, which can lead to a rational target for vaccine development, immunotherapy, and treatment for GC-derived B cell lymphomas.

Public Health Relevance

Germinal center B cell responses are critical for the generation of long-lasting high-affinity antibodies elicited by vaccines. Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements in public health and understanding how to improve germinal center B cell responses is crucial to developing new vaccines against existing and emerging pathogens. We hope to understand how HVEM and BTLA constrain the germinal center B cell response and influence the germinal center's ability to produce high-affinity memory B cells and plasma cells.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Individual Predoctoral NRSA for M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships (ADAMHA) (F30)
Project #
5F30AI131496-04
Application #
9836794
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Gondre-Lewis, Timothy A
Project Start
2017-01-01
Project End
2020-12-31
Budget Start
2020-01-01
Budget End
2020-12-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Type
Graduate Schools
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94118
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