Targeting BMI-1 in B cells restores effective humoral immune responses and controls chronic viral infection
- Author(s)
- Di Pietro, A; Polmear, J; Cooper, L; Damelang, T; Hussain, T; Hailes, L; O'Donnell, K; Udupa, V; Mi, T; Preston, S; Shtewe, A; Hershberg, U; Turner, SJ; La Gruta, NL; Chung, AW; Tarlinton, DM; Scharer, CD; Good-Jacobson, KL;
- Journal Title
- Nature Immunology
- Publication Type
- epub ahead of print
- Abstract
- Ineffective antibody-mediated responses are a key characteristic of chronic viral infection. However, our understanding of the intrinsic mechanisms that drive this dysregulation are unclear. Here, we identify that targeting the epigenetic modifier BMI-1 in mice improves humoral responses to chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. BMI-1 was upregulated by germinal center B cells in chronic viral infection, correlating with changes to the accessible chromatin landscape, compared to acute infection. B cell-intrinsic deletion of Bmi1 accelerated viral clearance, reduced splenomegaly and restored splenic architecture. Deletion of Bmi1 restored c-Myc expression in B cells, concomitant with improved quality of antibody and coupled with reduced antibody-secreting cell numbers. Specifically, BMI-1-deficiency induced antibody with increased neutralizing capacity and enhanced antibody-dependent effector function. Using a small molecule inhibitor to murine BMI-1, we could deplete antibody-secreting cells and prohibit detrimental immune complex formation in vivo. This study defines BMI-1 as a crucial immune modifier that controls antibody-mediated responses in chronic infection.
- Publisher
- NPG
- Research Division(s)
- Infectious Diseases And Immune Defence
- PubMed ID
- 34845392
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-021-01077-y
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2021-12-07 12:03:56
Last Modified: 2021-12-07 12:14:45