Although the aetiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unclear, dysregulated B cell responses have been implicated. Here we show that an unusual CD11chiT-bet+ B cell subset, with a unique expression profile including chemokine receptors consistent with migration to target tissues, is expanded in SLE patients, present in nephrotic kidney, enriched for autoreactive specificities and correlates with defined clinical manifestations. IL-21 can potently induce CD11chiT-bet+ B cells and promote the differentiation of these cells into Ig-secreting autoreactive plasma cells. While murine studies have identified a role for T-bet-expressing B cells in autoimmunity, this study describes and exemplifies the importance of CD11chiT-bet+ B cells in human SLE.

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are abundant in the adult central nervous system, and have the capacity to regenerate oligodendrocytes and myelin. However, in inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) remyelination is often incomplete. To investigate how neuroinflammation influences OPCs, we perform in vivo fate-tracing in an inflammatory demyelinating mouse model. Here we report that OPC differentiation is inhibited by both effector T cells and IFNγ overexpression by astrocytes. IFNγ also reduces the absolute number of OPCs and alters remaining OPCs by inducing the immunoproteasome and MHC class I. In vitro, OPCs exposed to IFNγ cross-present antigen to cytotoxic CD8 T cells, resulting in OPC death. In human demyelinated MS brain lesions, but not normal appearing white matter, oligodendroglia exhibit enhanced expression of the immunoproteasome subunit PSMB8. Therefore, OPCs may be co-opted by the immune system in MS to perpetuate the autoimmune response, suggesting that inhibiting immune activation of OPCs may facilitate remyelination.

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A growing body of evidence suggests that when B cells are chronically stimulated, a phenotypically unique subset expands. Data suggest that this atypical population contains B cell receptor (BCR) specificities capable of binding the antigen, or sets of antigens that initiated the expansion of these cells. These B cells have been given various names, including double negative B cells, atypical memory B cells, tissue-like memory B cells, or age associated B cells (ABCs). However, on close inspection these reports described B cell subsets that closely resemble B cells we refer to as CD11c B cells that often express T-bet. Here we will review the human studies that describe atypical memory B cells and compare and contrast their phenotype and suggested function in health and disease.

Summary Canonically, IgE mediates allergic immune responses by triggering mast cells and basophils to release histamine and Type 2 helper cytokines. Here, we report that in human systemic lupus erythematosus, IgE antibodies specific for double-stranded DNA activate plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), an immune cell type linked to viral defense, leading to the secretion of substantial amounts of interferon-α. The concentrations of dsDNA-specific IgE found in patient serum correlated with disease severity and greatly potentiated pDC functions by triggering phagocytosis via FcεRI followed by Toll-like receptor 9-mediated DNA sensing in phagosomes. These findings expand the known pathogenic mechanisms of IgE-mediated inflammation beyond those found in allergy and demonstrate that IgE can trigger interferon responses capable of exacerbating self-destructive autoimmune responses.