Self-tolerance by clonal anergy of B cells is marked by an increase in IgD and decrease in IgM antigen receptor surface expression, yet the function of IgD on anergic cells is obscure. Here we define the RNA landscape of the in vivo anergy response, comprising 220 induced sequences including a core set of 97. Failure to co-express IgD with IgM decreases overall expression of receptors for self-antigen, but paradoxically increases the core anergy response, exemplified by increased Sdc1 encoding the cell surface marker syndecan-1. IgD expressed on its own is nevertheless competent to induce calcium signalling and the core anergy mRNA response. Syndecan-1 induction correlates with reduction of surface IgM and is exaggerated without surface IgD in many transitional and mature B cells. These results show that IgD attenuates the response to self-antigen in anergic cells and promotes their accumulation. In this way, IgD minimizes tolerance-induced holes in the pre-immune antibody repertoire.

Mice lacking activity of the intramembrane protease SPPL2A exhibit humoral immunodeficiency and lack mature B cell subsets.

The geographical distribution of lumpy skin disease (LSD), an economically important cattle disease caused by a capripoxvirus, has reached an unprecedented extent. Vaccination is the only way to prevent the spread of the infection in endemic and newly affected regions. Yet, in the event of an outbreak, selection of the best vaccine is a major challenge for veterinary authorities and farmers. Decision makers need sound scientific information to support their decisions and subsequent actions. The available vaccine products vary in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, side effects, and price. The pros and cons of different types of live attenuated and inactivated vaccines, vaccination strategies, and associated risks are discussed. Seroconversion, which typically follows vaccination, places specific demands on the tools and methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of the LSD vaccination campaigns in the field. We aimed to give a comprehensive update on available vaccines and vaccination against LSD, to better prepare affected and at-risk countries to control LSD and ensure the safe trade of cattle.

IgD and IgM are produced by alternative splicing of long primary RNA transcripts from the Ig heavy chain (Igh) locus and serve as the receptors for antigen on naïve mature B lymphocytes. IgM is made selectively in immature B cells, whereas IgD is coexpressed with IgM when the cells mature into follicular or marginal zone B cells, but the transacting factors responsible for this regulated change in splicing have remained elusive. Here, we use a genetic screen in mice to identify ZFP318, a nuclear protein with two U1-type zinc fingers found in RNA-binding proteins and no known role in the immune system, as a critical factor for IgD expression. A point mutation in an evolutionarily conserved lysine-rich domain encoded by the alternatively spliced Zfp318 exon 10 abolished IgD expression on marginal zone B cells, decreased IgD on follicular B cells, and increased IgM, but only slightly decreased the percentage of B cells and did not decrease expression of other maturation markers CD21, CD23, or CD62L. A targeted Zfp318 null allele extinguished IgD expression on mature B cells and increased IgM. Zfp318 mRNA is developmentally regulated in parallel with IgD, with little in pro-B cells, moderate amounts in immature B cells, and high levels selectively in mature follicular B cells. These findings identify ZFP318 as a crucial factor regulating the expression of the two major antibody isotypes on the surface of most mature B cells.IgHm | IgHd | immunoglobulin isotype |

CD1d-dependent NKT-cells represent a heterogeneous family of effector T-cells including CD4+CD8− and CD4−CD8− subsets, that respond to glycolipid antigens with rapid and potent cytokine production. NKT-cell development is regulated by a unique combination of factors, however very little is known about factors that control the development of NKT subsets. Here, we analyze a novel mouse strain (helpless) with a mis-sense mutation in the BTB-POZ domain of Zbtb7b and demonstrate that this mutation has dramatic, intrinsic effects on development of NKT-cell subsets. Although NKT-cell numbers are similar in Zbtb7b mutant mice, these cells are hyperproliferative and most lack CD4 and instead express CD8. Moreover, the majority of Zbtb7b mutant NKT-cells in the thymus are RORγt+ and a high frequency produce IL-17 while very few produce IFN-γ or other cytokines, sharply contrasting the profile of normal NKT-cells. Mice heterozygous for the helpless mutation also have reduced numbers of CD4+ NKT-cells and increased production of IL-17 without an increase in CD8+ cells, suggesting that Zbtb7b acts at multiple stages of NKT-cell development. These results reveal Zbtb7b as a critical factor genetically pre-determining the balance of effector subsets within the NKT-cell population.