SAP-controlled T-B cell interactions underlie germinal centre formation.
Generation of long-term antibody-mediated immunity depends on the germinal centre reaction, which requires cooperation between antigen-specific T and B lymphocytes. In human X-linked lymphoproliferative disease and its gene-targeted mouse model, loss-of-function mutations in signalling lymphocyte activation molecule-associated protein (SAP, encoded by SH2D1a) cause a profound defect in germinal centre formation by an as yet unknown mechanism. Here, using two-photon intravital imaging, we show that SAP deficiency selectively impairs the ability of CD4(+) T cells to stably interact with cognate B cells but not antigen-presenting dendritic cells. This selective defect results in a failure of antigen-specific B cells to receive adequate levels of contact-dependent T-cell help to expand normally, despite Sap(-/-) T cells exhibiting the known characteristics of otherwise competent helper T cells. Furthermore, the lack of stable interactions with B cells renders Sap(-/-) T cells unable to be efficiently recruited to and retained in a nascent germinal centre to sustain the germinal centre reaction. These results offer an explanation for the germinal centre defect due to SAP deficiency and provide new insights into the bi-directional communication between cognate T and B cells in vivo.
Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Hai
H
Qi
Jennifer L
JL
Cannons
Frederick
F
Klauschen
Pamela L
PL
Schwartzberg
Ronald N
RN
Germain
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002450:Cell Communication; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002678:Chimera / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D000071179:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Associated Protein
D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C499569:Sh2d1a protein, mouse; D000071179:Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Associated Protein