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NIH scientists discover new B cell that tempers autoimmunity
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<span>NIH scientists discover new B cell that tempers autoimmunity</span>
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Findings in mice point to potential therapies for blinding eye disease uveitis and multiple sclerosis
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<div class="c-item__date">
December 2, 2021
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<div class="c-item__tag c-item__tag--topic">
<a href="/about/news-and-events/news?topic=405" hreflang="en">Immunology</a>
<a href="/about/news-and-events/news?topic=58" hreflang="en">Uveitis</a>
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<a href="/about/news-and-events/news?research=25" hreflang="en">Basic Research</a>
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<p>Researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) have identified, isolated, and characterized a unique population of B cells that tamps down the immune system, reducing chronic inflammation. Infusions of purified IL-27 regulatory B cells (I27-Breg ) reduced symptoms in mouse models of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the eye disease autoimmune uveitis. The research suggests the cells may play a role in future human therapies. NEI is part of the National Institutes of Health.</p><figure role="group">
<img alt="Charles Egwuagu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cc65a13e-9fc8-4695-a120-10d3211c5cb9" height="2689" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/C%20%20Egwuagu-1%5B1%5D_0.jpg" width="2250" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Charles E. Egwuagu, M.P.H., Ph.D., Molecular Immunology Section, National Eye Institute</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>“We are the first to describe this unique population of regulatory B cells. While similar in function to other Bregs, I27-Breg have a distinct gene expression profile and originate from the innate B-1a cell lineage,” said Charles Egwuagu, Ph.D., M.P.H., who directs the NEI Molecular Immunology Section. He and colleagues published their findings in PNAS.</p><p>Uveitis is a group of sight-threatening inflammatory eye diseases that includes Behcet disease, birdshot retinochoroidopathy, and sympathetic ophthalmia. Of infectious or autoimmune origin, it is characterized by repeated cycles of intraocular inflammation. Current therapies include corticosteroids; however, prolonged use of these drugs risks other eye problems such as optic neuropathy and steroid-induced glaucoma.</p><p>Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are a newly designated B-cell subset that plays a pivotal role in regulating inflammation, autoimmunity, and cancer. They represent a small fraction of the bodys B cell population, which patrols the blood for invading pathogens. The principal function of Bregs is in modulating the immune system through expression of various signaling cytokines, such as IL-10 and IL-35, which put the brakes on chronic inflammation. Bregs counterbalance physiological effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-gamma and IL-17. Thus, a healthy balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines ensures a robust immune response to pathogens while preventing excessive proinflammatory cytokines, which can damage tissues and cause autoimmune disease.</p><p>Scientists discovered Bregs when treating rheumatoid arthritis with Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. Rituximab depleted B cells expressing the B-lymphocyte antigen CD20, which is on all B cells except plasma blasts or plasma cells. As most Bregs derive from plasma blasts or plasma cell, CD20 depletion led to expansion and eventual discovery of IL-10 secreting B cells (IL-10 Bregs) that exhibit anti-inflammatory characteristics.</p><p>In 2014, the Egwuagu lab reported the discovery of another anti-inflammatory Breg, which releases IL-35. They showed that i35-Bregs suppress central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disease by inducing expansion of IL-10 Bregs. Paired with 2007 findings, in which they showed that IL-27 increases IL-27 expression by retinal cells in response to inflammation, and that IL-27 and IL-35 are structurally and functionally similar, Egwuagu posited the existence of an IL-27-secreting B-cell population<em>.</em></p><p>Egwuagu and colleagues used a variety of assays to demonstrate the existence of IL-27-producing regulatory B cells (i27-Bregs) in the peritoneal cavity of mice. Further analyses showed that upon encounter with innate immune stimuli, the cells , which come from B-1a lineage B cells, lose their ability to produce natural IgM antibodies and differentiate into IL-27-producing B-1a cells. They then migrate from the peritoneal cavity to secondary lymphoid tissues such as the spleen. The researchers also found significant amount of i27-Bregs in human umbilical cord blood.</p><figure role="group">
<img alt="Photos of mouse retina. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6f44cf4e-7c9d-4282-b1c1-fe001bd1c8ba" height="1595" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/IL-27%20graphic%202021-11-24_0655%20%281%29.jpg" width="2495" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Photographs of mouse retina showing the effect of uveitis treatment with i27-Bregs. The left column represents a normal retina. Photos in the middle and right column are retinal images from mice with uveitis, untreated or treated with i27-Bregs. The central spot is the optic nerve head. Note the absence of inflammation (ring surrounding the optic nerve) in the IL-27-treated retina (top right image). Image courtesy of the Egwuagu Lab.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The researchers next examined whether i27-Breg immunotherapy would be effective in suppressing autoimmune uveitis or a multiple sclerosis (MS)-like disease in mice. Infusion of purified i27-Breg ameliorated uveitis and MS through up-regulation of inhibitory receptors (Lag3, PD-1), suppression of T-cell (Th17/Th1) responses, and propagation of inhibitory signals that converted conventional B cells to regulatory lymphocytes that secrete IL-10 and/or IL-35 in eye, brain, and spinal cord. Additionally, they found that i27-Bregs proliferate in vivo and sustain IL-27 secretion in CNS and lymphoid tissues, a therapeutic advantage over administering IL-10 or IL-35 biologics, which are rapidly cleared in the body. i27-Breg infusions into mice lacking the IL-27 receptor failed to attenuate disease symptoms, demonstrating that IL-27 is necessary for successful treatment. i27-Bregs are neither antigen-specific nor disease-specific, suggesting that they would be effective immunotherapy for a wide spectrum of autoimmune diseases.</p><figure role="group">
<img alt="Jin Kyeong Choi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a921e42a-5ad0-4204-b4dc-3ba39eada0ad" height="600" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jin%20Kyeong%20Choi.jpg" width="450" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Jin Kyeong Choi, Ph.D., Jeonbuk National University, South Korea</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>“Whereas i35-Breg and i27-Breg have similar functions, i27-Breg may have greater therapeutic potential,” said Jin Kyeong Choi, Ph.D., a former NEI postdoctoral fellow now at Jeonbuk National University, South Korea, and first author on the paper. “i27-Breg can proliferate after theyre injected, unlike i35-Bregs, which stop dividing when mature. In addition, i27-Breg more quickly respond to autoimmune disease.”</p><p>The researchers are currently exploring the use of exosomes—cytokine-containing particles released by cells—as a potential vector for delivering lab-grown IL-27 into the body. Such an approach would be less technically challenging than generatng i27-Breg cells in the lab.</p><p>Publication: Choi, J. K.<em> et al.</em> IL-27-producing B-1a cells suppress neuroinflammation and CNS autoimmune diseases. <em>Proc Natl Acad Sci USA</em> <strong>118</strong>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34782464/">doi:10.1073/pnas.2109548118</a> (2021)</p><p>Visit the NEI website for <a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/uveitis">information about uveitis</a> and more <a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/news-and-events/news">research news</a>.</p><p>###</p><p>This press release describes a basic research finding. Basic research increases our understanding of human behavior and biology, which is foundational to advancing new and better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Science is an unpredictable and incremental process— each research advance builds on past discoveries, often in unexpected ways. Most clinical advances would not be possible without the knowledge of fundamental basic research. To learn more about basic research, visit <a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/basic-research-digital-media-kit">https://www.nih.gov/news-events/basic-research-digital-media-kit</a>.</p><p>NEI leads the federal governments research on the visual system and eye diseases. NEI supports basic and clinical science programs to develop sight-saving treatments and address special needs of people with vision loss. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.nei.nih.gov">https://www.nei.nih.gov</a>.</p><p>About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nations medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit <a href="https://www.nih.gov/">https://www.nih.gov/</a>.</p><p>NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®</p>
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