Through an ITIM-independent mechanism the FcγRIIB blocks B cell activation by disrupting the colocalized microclustering of the B cell receptor and CD19

J Immunol. 2014 Jun 1;192(11):5179-91. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1400101. Epub 2014 Apr 30.

Abstract

B cell activation is regulated through the interplay of the BCR with the inhibitory coreceptor FcγRIIB and the activating coreceptor CD19. Recent studies suggest that Ag-driven BCR microclusters are efficiently converted to a signaling active state on colocalization with CD19 microclusters. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy-based, high-resolution, high-speed live-cell and molecule imaging approaches, we show that when co-ligated to the BCR, the FcγRIIB can inhibit B cell activation by blocking the colocalization of BCR and CD19 microclusters within the B cell immunological synapse. Remarkably, this inhibitory function of FcγRIIB is dependent not on its well-characterized ITIM-containing cytoplasmic domain, but its transmembrane domain. Indeed, human primary B cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients homozygous for gene encoding the loss-of-function transmembrane domain mutant FcγRIIB-I232T fail to block the synaptic colocalization of the BCR with CD19, leading to dysregulated recruitment of downstream signaling molecule p-PI3K to membrane proximal signalosome. This inhibitory function of FcγRIIB in impairing the spatial-temporal colocalization of BCR and CD19 microclusters in the B cell immunological synapse may help explain the hyper-reactive features of systemic lupus erythematosus patient B cells in reported studies. These observations may also provide new targets for therapies for systemic autoimmune disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD19 / genetics
  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunological Synapses / genetics
  • Immunological Synapses / immunology
  • Immunological Synapses / pathology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / genetics
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / pathology
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Mice
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / immunology
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / immunology*
  • Receptors, IgG / genetics
  • Receptors, IgG / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • FCGR2B protein, human
  • Fcgr2b protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • Receptors, IgG
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases