Follicular dendritic cell secreted protein FDC-SP controls IgA production

Mucosal Immunol. 2014 Jul;7(4):948-57. doi: 10.1038/mi.2013.113. Epub 2014 Jan 8.

Abstract

Follicular dendritic cell secreted protein (FDC-SP) is a secreted peptide predominantly expressed in mucosal tissues. We previously reported that FDC-SP transgenic mice have altered B-cell responses to systemic immunization; however, the role of FDC-SP in mucosal immunity is unknown. Here, we report that FDC-SP functions in regulating immunoglobulin A production. FDC-SP transgenic mice show decreased IgA levels in serum, saliva, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Reciprocally, FDC-SP-deficient mice show significantly increased IgA levels in serum and intestinal lavage, associated with accumulation of IgA+ cells in blood, bone marrow, Peyer's patches, and lymph nodes. FDC-SP-deficient mice generated higher titers of antigen-specific IgA but normal IgG1 responses upon immunization. Purified FDC-SP transgenic B cells generated decreased IgA responses to transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)+interleukin 5 (IL5) stimulation. Consistent with a direct effect of FDC-SP on B cells, recombinant FDC-SP suppressed B-cell IgA production in vitro. Six- to 14-month-old FDC-SP-deficient mice show IgA deposition in kidney glomeruli, which was associated with proteinuria and pathology consistent with mild IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Our results demonstrate a novel biological activity of FDC-SP in controlling B-cell IgA production and identify FDC-SP-deficient mice as a novel mouse model of IgAN.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / genetics*
  • Antibody Formation / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Immunoglobulin A / biosynthesis*
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / immunology
  • Immunomodulation / genetics
  • Kidney Diseases / genetics
  • Kidney Diseases / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • FDC secreted protein, mouse
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes
  • Proteins