title: T cell-induced secretion of MHC class II-peptide complexes on B cell exosomes.
abstract: Antigen-specific interactions between B cells and T cells are essential for the generation of an efficient immune response. Since this requires peptide-MHC class II complexes (pMHC-II) on the B cell to interact with TCR on antigen-specific T cells, we have examined the mechanisms regulating the persistence, loss, and secretion of specific pMHC-II complexes on activated B cells. Using a mAb that recognizes specific pMHC-II, we found that activated B cells degrade approximately 50% of pMHC-II every day and release 12% of these pMHC-II from the cell on small membrane vesicles termed exosomes. These exosomes directly stimulate primed, but not naïve, CD4 T cells. Interestingly, engagement of antigen-loaded B cells with specific CD4 T cells stimulates exosome release in a manner that can be mimicked by pMHC-II crosslinking. Biochemical studies revealed that the pMHC-II released on exosomes was previously expressed on the plasma membrane of the B cells, suggesting that regulated exosome release from activated B cells is a mechanism to allow pMHC-II to escape intracellular degradation and decorate secondary lymphoid organs with membrane-associated pMHC-II complexes.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Aura
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muntasell
authors.forename: Adam C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Roche
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*