Ligation of CD180 inhibits IFN-α signaling in a Lyn-PI3K-BTK-dependent manner in B cells

Cell Mol Immunol. 2017 Feb;14(2):192-202. doi: 10.1038/cmi.2015.61. Epub 2015 Aug 17.

Abstract

A hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the consistent production of various auto-antibodies by auto-reactive B cells. Interferon-α (IFN-α) signaling is highly activated in SLE B cells and plays a vital role in the antibody response by B cells. Previous studies have shown that CD180-negative B cells, which are dramatically increased in SLE patients, are responsible for the production of auto-antibodies. However, the association between CD180 and IFN-α signaling remains unknown. In the present study, we explored the effect of CD180 on regulating the activation of IFN-α signaling in B cells. We found that the number of CD180-negative B cells was increased in MRL/Mp-Fas(lpr/lpr) lupus-prone mice compared with wild-type mice. Phenotypic analysis showed that CD180-negative B cells comprised CD138+ plasmablast/plasma cells and GL-7+ germinal center (GC) B cells. Notably, ligation of CD180 significantly inhibited the IFN-α-induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT-2) and expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in a Lyn-PI3K-BTK-dependent manner in vitro. Moreover, ligation of CD180 could also inhibit IFN-α-induced ISG expression in B cells in vivo. Furthermore, the Toll-like receptor 7 and Toll-like receptor 9 signaling pathways could significantly downregulate CD180 expression and modulate the inhibitory effect of CD180 signaling on the activation of IFN-α signaling. Collectively, our results highlight the close association between the increased proportion of CD180-negative B cells and the activation of IFN-α signaling in SLE. Our data provide molecular insight into the mechanism of IFN-α signaling activation in SLE B cells and a potential therapeutic approach for SLE treatment.

MeSH terms

  • Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / metabolism*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / pathology
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
  • Phenotype
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism*
  • Phosphotyrosine / metabolism
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • STAT2 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9 / metabolism
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CD180 protein, human
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Ly78 protein, mouse
  • STAT2 Transcription Factor
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7
  • Toll-Like Receptor 9
  • Phosphotyrosine
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase
  • BTK protein, human
  • lyn protein-tyrosine kinase
  • src-Family Kinases