title: Human B cells express functional TRAIL/Apo-2 ligand after CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotide stimulation.
abstract: CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) have broad-ranging immunostimulatory effects, including the generation of antitumor immune responses. Analysis of different CpG ODN have identified two classes: CpG-A ODN, which stimulate high levels of IFN-alpha production from plasmacytoid dendritic cells and weakly activate B cells, and CpG-B ODN, which strongly activate B cells but stimulate low production of IFN-alpha from plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Previously, we observed that CpG-B ODN (2006) induces TRAIL/Apo-2 ligand (Apo-2L)-mediated killing of tumor cells by CD14(+) PBMC. In this study, we extend our investigation of CpG ODN-induced TRAIL/Apo-2L expression and activity in PBMC to include CpG-A ODN. Of the two classes, IFN-alpha production and TRAIL/Apo-2L-mediated killing of tumor cells was greatest with CpG-A ODN. Surprisingly, CD3(+), CD14(+), CD19(+), and CD56(+) PBMC expressed high levels of TRAIL/Apo-2L following CpG-A ODN stimulation. When isolated, the CD19(+) PBMC (B cells) were able to kill tumor cells in a TRAIL/Apo-2L-dependent manner. As with CD14(+) PBMC, CD19(+) sorted B cells were capable of up-regulating TRAIL/Apo-2L expression when stimulated with IFN-alpha alone. Interestingly, agonist anti-CD40 mAb further enhanced the IFN-alpha-induced TRAIL/Apo-2L expression on CD19(+) B cells. These results are the first to demonstrate human B cell-mediated killing of tumor cells in a TRAIL/Apo-2L-dependent fashion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology, and Prostate Cancer Research Program of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Troy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Griffith
mesh_terms: D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000378:metabolism; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000378:metabolism*; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D018941:Antigens, CD19; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha