Possamaï et al. studied the effects of IL-4 and IL-21 on CD40L-stimulated human blood B (CD40-B) cells. IL-21 induced CD40-B cell differentiation to antibody-secreting cells. IL-4 plus IL-21 induced CD40-B cells to expand and upregulate receptors that mediate homing to secondary lymphoid organs. IL-4 alone and IL-4 plus IL-21 induced CD40-B cells to secrete TH1- and TH2-associated cytokines and express molecules required for antigen presentation and T cell stimulation. In co-cultures, IL-4 plus IL-21 induced CD40-B cells to activate antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, and may provide an alternative to antigen-presenting DCs for vaccine/immunotherapy strategies.

Contributed by Paula Hochman

B lymphocytes have multiple functions central to humoral immunity, including Ag presentation to T cells, cytokine secretion, and differentiation into Ab-secreting plasma cells. In vitro expansion of human B cells by continuous IL-4 stimulation and engagement of their CD40 receptor by CD40L has allowed the use of these IL-4-CD40-B cells in research for the induction of Ag-specific T cell immune responses. However, in vivo, follicular helper T cells also influence B cell activity through the secretion of IL-21. The impact of both cytokines on multiple B cell functions is not clearly defined. To further understand these cytokines in CD40-B cell biology, we stimulated CD40-B cells with IL-4 or IL-21 or both (Combo) and characterized the proliferation, subsets, and functions of these cells. We demonstrate that IL-21- and Combo-CD40-B cells are highly proliferative cells that can be rapidly expanded to high numbers. We show that IL-21-CD40-B cells polarize to Ab-secreting plasma cells, whereas IL-4- and Combo-CD40-B cells are mostly activated mature B cells that express molecules associated with favorable APC functions. We further demonstrate that both IL-4- and Combo-CD40-B cells are efficient in promoting T cell activation and proliferation compared with IL-21-CD40-B cells. Thus, our study provides a better appreciation of CD40-B cell plasticity and biology. In addition, the stimulation of B cells with CD40L, IL-4, and IL-21 allows for the fast generation of high numbers of efficient APC, therefore providing a prospective tool for research and clinical applications such as cancer immunotherapy.

Author Info: (1) Axe Cancer, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Universit de Montral, Montral, Qubec, Canada. Facult de Mdecine, Dpartement de Mdecine, Universit de Montral, Montral

Author Info: (1) Axe Cancer, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Universit de Montral, Montral, Qubec, Canada. Facult de Mdecine, Dpartement de Mdecine, Universit de Montral, Montral, Qubec, Canada. (2) Axe Cancer, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Universit de Montral, Montral, Qubec, Canada. Facult de Mdecine, Dpartement de Mdecine, Universit de Montral, Montral, Qubec, Canada. (3) Axe de Recherche en Immunobiologie du Cancer, Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancrologie, Montral, Qubec, Canada; and. Facult de Mdecine, Dpartement de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Universit de Montral, Montral, Qubec, Canada. (4) Axe de Recherche en Immunobiologie du Cancer, Institut de Recherche en Immunologie et Cancrologie, Montral, Qubec, Canada; and. Facult de Mdecine, Dpartement de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Universit de Montral, Montral, Qubec, Canada. (5) Axe Cancer, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Universit de Montral, Montral, Qubec, Canada; rejean.lapointe@umontreal.ca. Facult de Mdecine, Dpartement de Mdecine, Universit de Montral, Montral, Qubec, Canada.