Antibody responses can be up- or down-regulated by passive administration of specific antibody together with antigen. Depending on the structure of the antigen and the antibody isotype, responses can be completely suppressed or enhanced up to a 1000-fold of what is seen in animals immunized with antigen alone. IgG suppresses primary antibody responses against erythrocytes. Suppression works well in mice lacking Fc-receptors for IgG, C1q, C3, or complement receptor 1 and 2 (CR1/2). Here, we demonstrate that IgG anti-NP given to mice together with NP-conjugated sheep erythrocytes, suppresses the generation of NP-specific extra-follicular antibody-secreting cells, NP-specific germinal center B cells, induction of memory and long-lived plasma cells. IgG increases antigen clearance but this does not explain the suppressed antibody response. It is demonstrated that IgG-mediated suppression of IgG responses is epitope specific, suggesting that epitope masking is the dominant explanation for IgG-mediated suppression of antibody responses. Both IgE and IgG3 can enhance antibody responses against soluble antigens. IgE-antigen complexes bind to recirculating B cells expressing CD23, an Fc-receptor for IgE.  Thirty minutes after intravenous administration, IgE-antigen is found in splenic follicles. Subsequently, germinal center responses, antigen-specific T cell proliferation, and antibody responses are enhanced. We show that also antigen conjugated to anti-CD23 can bind to CD23+ B cells and be transported to splenic follicles. CD11+ spleen cells, rather than CD23+ B cells, present IgE-antigen complexes to T cells. Here, it is demonstrated that CD8α− conventional dendritic cells is the CD11c+ cell population presenting IgE-antigen to T cells. IgG3-mediated enhancement is dependent on CR1/2. We find that IgG3-antigen complexes, administered intravenously to mice, bind to marginal zone B cells via CR1/2. These cells then transport IgG3-antigen into splenic follicles and deposit antigen onto follicular dendritic cells. Mice treated with FTY720, a drug which dislocates marginal zone B cells from the marginal zone, impairs this transport. Studies in bone marrow chimeric mice show that CR1/2 on both B cells and follicular dendritic cells are crucial for IgG3-mediated enhancement. In summary, these observations suggest that antibodies can feedback regulate antibody responses by modulating the access of antigen to the immune system.

An intact complement system is essential for the initiation of a normal antibody response. Antibodies can regulate their own production against the antigens that they are specific for. Both IgG3 and IgM are able to enhance the antibody response via complement. Here, we have compared the fate of OVA-TNP (ovalbumin-2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) administered intravenously to mice either alone or in complex with monoclonal IgG3 anti-TNP. IgG3-antigen complexes bind to marginal zone (MZ) B cells via complement receptors 1 and 2 (CR1/2) and are transported into splenic follicles. The majority (50% - 90%) of the antigens is deposited on follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and the antigen distribution pattern is strikingly similar to peripheral dendrites/processes of FDC already 2 h after immunization. The development of germinal centers (GC) induced by IgG3-antigen complexes is impaired in mice lacking CR1/2. Experiments on bone marrow chimeric mice show that CR1/2 expression on both MZ B cells and FDC is required for optimal IgG3-mediated enhancement of antibody responses. Complement factors C3 and C1q are essential for OVA-TNP delivery and deposition on splenic FDC. The production of IgG anti-OVA is abrogated in mice lacking CR1/2, C1q, and C3. Further, IgG3-antigen complexes dramatically upregulate the memory response against OVA-TNP by inducing OVA-specific memory cells. Besides small protein OVA, IgG3 can also upregulate humoral responses against large soluble keyhole limpet hemocyanin. To further study the role of MZ B-cells and CR1/2 in enhancement of antibody responses, a knock-in mouse strain, Cμ13, was used. IgM in this mouse strain is unable to activate complement due to a point mutation in the constant µ-heavy chain. Cμ13 mice have a higher proportion of MZ B cells, with higher CR1/2 expression, than wild-type mice. More IgG3-immune complexes are captured by MZ B cells and deposited on FDC in Cμ13 than in WT mice. In spite of this, IgG3 did not enhance the primary antibody response more efficiently in Cμ13 mice. The existence of endogenous IgM-mediated feedback regulation was suggested by the observation that GC development and antibody responses, after priming and boosting with suboptimal doses of SRBC, was lower in Cμ13 than in WT mice.

The nonobese diabetic mouse (NOD) is an excellent animal model to study type 1 diabetes. As with some humans, disease in the NOD mouse is effected by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. At least 20 insulin dependent diabetes (Idd) susceptibility loci have been identified so far, both in humans and in the NOD mouse. In this thesis, the overall aim has been to understand the genetic basis of diabetes in the NOD mouse by assessing immunogically-related phenotypes. As lymphocytes are the main players in the onset and progression to overt diabetes, we searched for physiological abnormalities in T and B cells, which could contribute to the breakdown of tolerance to pancreatic antigens. Ultimately, we postulate that abnormalities in the T or B cell compartments, under the genetic control of a previously defined diabetes susceptibility regions (Idds) could unravel the biological mechanisms underlying diabetes susceptibility and facilitate the identification of etiological polymorphisms involved in the disease. NOD T cells are defective in upregulating CTLA-4 upon in vitro activation. Previous studies have shown that this defect is, at least in part, controlled by gene(s) in the Idd5 region on chromosome 1. In paper I, we provide evidence that defective upregulation of the CTLA-4 in NOD T cells is not controlled by the Idd5.1 and Idd5.2 regions, but rather by genes linked to the telomeric region of chromosome 1 and to the Idd3 locus, for which the prime candidate gene is Il-2. Interestingly, we could restore some of the defective CTLA-4 expression in NOD T cells by the addition of exogenous IL-2 during T cell activation in vitro. In paper II, we show that NOD thymocytes are resistant to superantigen-mediated negative selection and that this trait is under control of the Idd5.2 region. Interestingly, it appears to operate in a T cell non-autonomous manner. In paper III, we describe a competitive advantage of NOD thymocytes to mature when they co-develop with B6 thymocytes in embryo aggregation chimeras. These results imply that defects exist in the positive/negative selection mechanisms in the NOD thymus. Apart from T cells, B cells also play an important role in the initiation of diabetes in NOD mice, probably as antigen presenting cells. In paper IV, we report that the genetic basis of an enlarged marginal zone (MZ) B cell population observed in the NOD mice is linked to the Idd9/Idd11 region. Together, these findings contribute to the dissection of the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes pathogenesis, and shed light on the contribution of central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms to this process.

3BP2 is a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain- and Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing adapter protein that has been linked through genetic evidence to a rare human disease called cherubism 146. 3BP2 was originally cloned in a screen to identify c-Abl SH3 binding proteins 23,24. In overexpression studies, 3BP2 has been implicated as a positive regulatory adapter molecule coupled to immunoreceptor on T cells 67,69,70, B cells 68, NK cells 71-73 and mast cells 74,75. It was also evident that 3BP2 forms complexes with a number of signaling molecules, such as Zap-70, LAT, phospholipase C-γ1 (PLC-γ1), Grb2, Cbl, and Fyn in Jurkat cells 67 and Vav1, Vav2, PLC-γ, and Syk in Daudi B cells 68. Despite the growing body of biochemical data to support the importance of 3BP2 in cells of the hematopoietic lineage, a clear picture of the biological function of 3BP2 has yet to emerge. To elucidate the in vivo function of 3BP2, our laboratory has generated 3BP2 gene-deficient mice through homologous recombination 452. The 3BP2-deficient (3BP2-/-) mice were born at the expected Mendelian frequency and were fertile and viable. 3BP2-/- mice accumulate splenic marginal-zone (MZ) B cells, possess a reduced frequency of peritoneal B-1 B cells, and have a diminished thymus-independent type 2 (TI-2) antigen response. 3BP2-/- B cells demonstrate diminished proliferation and cell survival following cross-linking of the B-cell receptor (BCR). Following BCR ligation, 3BP2 might be recruited to BCR complex through its inducible interaction with BCR costimulatory molecule CD19. In the absence of 3BP2, the activation of BCR downstream effectors such as MAPK Erk1/2, JNK, and c-Abl is normal; however, 3BP2 deficiency leads to defects in Syk phosphorylation and calcium flux. In addition to defects in peripheral B cell activities, 3BP2 deficiency contributes to defects in neutrophil activities. In response to the chemotactic peptide, fMLF, 3BP2-/- neutrophils fail to establish directional migration in vitro. There is a defect in the accumulation of filamentous actin at the leading edge of migrating 3BP2-/- neutrophils which might be responsible for the random movement of these cells under shallow gradient of fMLF. In vivo, there is a delay in the recruitment of circulating neutrophils to the site of chemically induced inflammation in 3BP2-/- mice. Compared to wildtype neutrophils, 3BP2-/- neutrophils fail to properly produce superoxide anion (O2-) following fMLF stimulation. Defects in both directional migration and superoxide production of 3BP2-/- neutrophils might contribute to the reduction in bacteria clearance and the increased mortality in 3BP2-/- mice post Listeria Monocytogenes infection. In Chapter 1 of this thesis, I have reviewed basic structures and functions of the domain modules found in adapter proteins. In addition, I have reviewed the findings from numerous reports on the function of 3BP2 in different cell types. A discussion of the physical appearance and some of the initial characterization of 3BP2-deficient mice (3BP2-/-) we have generated in our laboratory are included in Chapter 1. The second part of Chapter 1 consists of an introduction on B cell receptor signaling pathway and B-cell development and activation. A discussion of G protein-coupled receptor-mediated neutrophil functions can also be found in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 contains all the methods and materials used in my study. Chapter 3 includes the characterization of peripheral B cell compartment of 3BP2-/- mice as well as the role of 3BP2 downstream of B-cell antigen receptor and in T-independent immune response. In chapter 4, I present data from experiments designed to examine the role of 3BP2 downstream of a G protein-coupled receptor, fMLF receptor, of neutrophils. I also show the requirement of 3BP2 in the clearance of Listeria Monocytogenes. In chapter 5, I propose two models for 3BP2 action based on the findings in B cells and neutrophils and discuss future areas for investigation.

3BP2 is a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain- and Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing adapter protein that has been linked through genetic evidence to a rare human disease called cherubism 146. 3BP2 was originally cloned in a screen to identify c-Abl SH3 binding proteins 23,24. In overexpression studies, 3BP2 has been implicated as a positive regulatory adapter molecule coupled to immunoreceptor on T cells 67,69,70, B cells 68, NK cells 71-73 and mast cells 74,75. It was also evident that 3BP2 forms complexes with a number of signaling molecules, such as Zap-70, LAT, phospholipase C-γ1 (PLC-γ1), Grb2, Cbl, and Fyn in Jurkat cells 67 and Vav1, Vav2, PLC-γ, and Syk in Daudi B cells 68. Despite the growing body of biochemical data to support the importance of 3BP2 in cells of the hematopoietic lineage, a clear picture of the biological function of 3BP2 has yet to emerge. To elucidate the in vivo function of 3BP2, our laboratory has generated 3BP2 gene-deficient mice through homologous recombination 452. The 3BP2-deficient (3BP2-/-) mice were born at the expected Mendelian frequency and were fertile and viable. 3BP2-/- mice accumulate splenic marginal-zone (MZ) B cells, possess a reduced frequency of peritoneal B-1 B cells, and have a diminished thymus-independent type 2 (TI-2) antigen response. 3BP2-/- B cells demonstrate diminished proliferation and cell survival following cross-linking of the B-cell receptor (BCR). Following BCR ligation, 3BP2 might be recruited to BCR complex through its inducible interaction with BCR costimulatory molecule CD19. In the absence of 3BP2, the activation of BCR downstream effectors such as MAPK Erk1/2, JNK, and c-Abl is normal; however, 3BP2 deficiency leads to defects in Syk phosphorylation and calcium flux. In addition to defects in peripheral B cell activities, 3BP2 deficiency contributes to defects in neutrophil activities. In response to the chemotactic peptide, fMLF, 3BP2-/- neutrophils fail to establish directional migration in vitro. There is a defect in the accumulation of filamentous actin at the leading edge of migrating 3BP2-/- neutrophils which might be responsible for the random movement of these cells under shallow gradient of fMLF. In vivo, there is a delay in the recruitment of circulating neutrophils to the site of chemically induced inflammation in 3BP2-/- mice. Compared to wildtype neutrophils, 3BP2-/- neutrophils fail to properly produce superoxide anion (O2-) following fMLF stimulation. Defects in both directional migration and superoxide production of 3BP2-/- neutrophils might contribute to the reduction in bacteria clearance and the increased mortality in 3BP2-/- mice post Listeria Monocytogenes infection. In Chapter 1 of this thesis, I have reviewed basic structures and functions of the domain modules found in adapter proteins. In addition, I have reviewed the findings from numerous reports on the function of 3BP2 in different cell types. A discussion of the physical appearance and some of the initial characterization of 3BP2-deficient mice (3BP2-/-) we have generated in our laboratory are included in Chapter 1. The second part of Chapter 1 consists of an introduction on B cell receptor signaling pathway and B-cell development and activation. A discussion of G protein-coupled receptor-mediated neutrophil functions can also be found in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 contains all the methods and materials used in my study. Chapter 3 includes the characterization of peripheral B cell compartment of 3BP2-/- mice as well as the role of 3BP2 downstream of B-cell antigen receptor and in T-independent immune response. In chapter 4, I present data from experiments designed to examine the role of 3BP2 downstream of a G protein-coupled receptor, fMLF receptor, of neutrophils. I also show the requirement of 3BP2 in the clearance of Listeria Monocytogenes. In chapter 5, I propose two models for 3BP2 action based on the findings in B cells and neutrophils and discuss future areas for investigation.

La thrombopénie immunologique ou purpura thrombopénique immunologique (PTI) est une maladie auto-immune rare responsable d’une destruction périphérique immunologique des plaquettes associée à une production médullaire inadaptée. Dans la première partie de ce travail, nous exposons les connaissances actuelles de sa physiopathologie ainsi que certaines données concernant la réponse immunitaire T, le rôle des lymphocytes T régulateurs (Treg), l’implication de la rate dans la réponse immunitaire ainsi que les modes d’action d’une thérapeutique anti-lymphocytaire B, le rituximab. Dans une seconde partie, nous rapportons les résultats obtenus chez 40 patients atteints de PTI. Nous avons montré que le taux des Treg circulants CD4+CD25HighFoxp3+ est similaire chez les patients et les témoins, avec une élévation de leur taux chez les sujets répondeurs aux traitements. A l’inverse, il existe un déficit quantitatif en Treg au sein de la rate des patients. L’analyse des sous-populations lymphocytaires B spléniques a montré une augmentation du taux de lymphocytes B de la zone marginale chez les patients. Concernant les mécanismes d’action du rituximab, nous avons montré qu’une déplétion lymphocytaire B sanguine et splénique n’est pas suffisante pour obtenir une rémission, et que les plasmocytes ne sont pas sensibles à cette thérapeutique. Par ailleurs, nous proposons un mécanisme d’échappement à ce traitement. En effet, nous avons montré que les patients résistants au RTX présentent une élévation du ratio Th1/Treg spléniques. Chez ces sujets non répondeurs, nous avons également observé une élévation du ratio lymphocytes T CD8+/CD4+, au sein de la rate, suggérant une participation des lymphocytes T cytotoxiques dans la physiopathologie du PTI. Ces résultats ouvrent donc de nouvelles perspectives dans la compréhension de la physiopathologie du PTI, notamment la possible implication des lymphocytes B de la zone marginale et le défaut de contrôle de la réponse immunitaire splénique par les Treg. Concernant le rituximab, son action sur la réponse immunitaire ne semble pas se limiter à une déplétion lymphocytaire B qui n’est pas suffisante pour obtenir une rémission. Un mécanisme d’échappement ou de résistance à cette thérapeutique passe par une orientation Th1 et une probable implication des lymphocytes T CD8+. / Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease responsible for a peripheral immune destruction of platelets associated with an inappropriate bone marrow production. In this work, we first review the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ITP. We also focus on the T cell immune response, highlighting the key role of regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral tolerance. The implication of the spleen in the immune response and the effects of rituximab, a B cell depleting therapy, are discussed. Then, our results obtained from 40 ITP patients are reported. Despite the fact that CD4+CD25HighFoxp3+ circulating Treg levels are similar between patients and controls, a significant increase is observed in responder patients. In the spleen, the rate of Treg is lower in ITP patients. Analyses of the spleens also reveal an increase in the level of marginal zone B cells in ITP. Rituximab is responsible for a complete depletion of both circulating and splenic B cells, which is not sufficient to achieve a response. Moreover, plasma cells are still observed after treatment. An increase in the Th1/Treg ratio in the spleen of non responder patients after rituximab infusion could trigger an escape to this therapy. The involvement of CD8+ T cells in the pathogenesis of ITP is highlighted by the increase in the CD8+/CD4+ ratio in the spleen after rituximab. New fields in the understanding of the pathogenesis of ITP are opened with these results, particularly by showing a quantitative deficiency in splenic Treg and the possible involvement of marginal zone B cells. Regarding rituximab effect on the immune response, we demonstrate on the one hand that complete circulating and splenic B cell depletion is not sufficient to achieve remission, and on the other hand that Th1 response and increase in CD8+ T cells level may represent an escape to this treatment.