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Balabanian, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Balabanian, K..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Plasma cell heterogeneity is driven by type of immune challenge

Plasma cells play an essential role in humoral immunity, but many questions remain regarding the heterogeneity of this population, both in terms of ontogeny and involvement in the immune response. In this work, we have identified 5 subsets of plasma cells in human and mouse lymphoid tissues. These subpopulations were distinguished by differential expression of CD62L, CXCR4, Fc{gamma}RIIb and CD93. The antigenic context as well as the B cell of origin directed plasma cell differentiation towards specific subtypes that display distinct migratory and survival abilities in vivo. Altogether, ours results unveil that plasma cell phenotypic and functional heterogeneity relies on intrinsic imprinting during B cell activation.

immunology↗

CXCR4 signaling strength regulates hematopoietic multipotent progenitor fate through extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms

How cell-extrinsic niche-related and cell-intrinsic cues drive lineage specification of hematopoietic multipotent progenitors (MPPs) in the bone marrow (BM) is partly understood. We show that CXCR4 signaling strength regulates localization and fate of MPPs. In mice phenocopying the BM myeloid skewing of patients with WHIM Syndrome (WS), a rare immunodeficiency caused by gain-of-function CXCR4 mutations, enhanced mTOR signaling and overactive Oxphos metabolism were associated with myeloid rewiring of lymphoid-primed MPPs (or MPP4). Fate decision of MPP4 was also affected by molecular changes established at the MPP1 level. Mutant MPP4 displayed altered BM localization relative to peri-arteriolar structures, suggesting that extrinsic cues contribute to their myeloid skewing. Chronic treatment with CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 or mTOR inhibitor Rapamycin rescued lymphoid capacities of mutant MPP4, demonstrating a pivotal role for the CXCR4-mTOR axis in regulating MPP4 fate. Our study thus provides mechanistic insights into how CXCR4 signaling regulates the lymphoid potential of MPPs.

cell biology↗

Plasma cell maintenance and antibody secretion are under the control of Sec22b-mediated regulation of organelle dynamics

Despite the essential role of plasma cells in health and disease, the cellular mechanisms controlling their survival and secretory capacity are still poorly understood. Here, we identified the SNARE Sec22b as a unique and critical regulator of plasma cell maintenance and function. In absence of Sec22b, plasma cells were barely detectable and serum antibody titres were dramatically reduced. Accordingly, Sec22b deficient mice fail to mount a protective immune response. At the mechanistic level, we demonstrated that Sec22b is indispensable for efficient antibody secretion but also for plasma cell fitness through the regulation of the morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Altogether, our results unveil a critical role for Sec22b-mediated regulation of plasma cell biology through the control of organelle dynamics.

immunology↗

Cxcr4 desensitization is an essential regulatory mechanism controlling the extra-follicular B cell response.

The signaling axis formed by the chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 plays an important role in B cell development and activation and is finely regulated by a process termed desensitization. Mutations leading to a truncation of the C-terminus tail of CXCR4 and thus to a defective desensitization have been reported in two diseases, a rare immunodeficiency called the WHIM syndrome and a B cell plasmacytoma called Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia (WM). How CXCR4 desensitization may impact B cell activation in the context of a T-independent extra-follicular response is still unknown. Here using a unique mouse model bearing an orthologous gain of function mutation of Cxcr4 we report that Cxcr4 desensitization is an essential gatekeeper controlling B lymphocyte entry into cycle, plasma cell differentiation, migration and maturation upon Myd88-dependent signaling. Altogether, our results support an essential role for Cxcr4 desensitization in limiting the depth and width of the B cell extra-follicular response and PC development.

immunology↗