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STAT5B restrains human B-cell differentation to maintain humoral immune homeostatis

Publication at Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové |
2022

Abstract

Background: Lymphocyte differentiation is regulated by coordinated actions of cytokines and signaling pathways. IL-21 activates STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5 and is fundamental for the differentiation of human B cells into memory cells and antibody-secreting cells.

While STAT1 is largely nonessential and STAT3 is critical for this process, the role of STAT5 is unknown. Objectives: This study sought to delineate unique roles of STAT5 in activation and differentiation of human naive and memory B cells.

Methods: STAT activation was assessed by phospho-flow cytometry cell sorting. Differential gene expression was determined by RNA-sequencing and quantitative PCR.

The requirement for STAT5B in B-cell and CD4+ T-cell differentiation was assessed using CRISPR-mediated STAT5B deletion from B-cell lines and investigating primary lymphocytes from individuals with germline STAT5B mutations. Results: IL-21 activated STAT5 and strongly induced SOCS3 in human naive, but not memory, B cells.

Deletion of STAT5B in B-cell lines diminished IL-21-mediated SOCS3 induction. PBMCs from STAT5B-null individuals contained expanded populations of immunoglobulin class-switched B cells, CD21loTbet+ B cells, and follicular T helper cells.

IL-21 induced greater differentiation of STAT5B-deficient B cells into plasmablasts in vitro than B cells from healthy donors, correlating with higher expression levels of transcription factors promoting plasma cell formation. Conclusions: These findings reveal novel roles for STAT5B in regulating IL-21-induced human B-cell differentiation.

This is achieved by inducing SOCS3 to attenuate IL-21 signaling, and BCL6 to repress class switching and plasma cell generation. Thus, STAT5B is critical for restraining IL-21-mediated B-cell differentiation.

These findings provide insights into mechanisms underpinning B-cell responses during primary and subsequent antigen encounter and explain autoimmunity and dysfunctional humoral immunity in STAT5B deficiency.