Lipid-Antigen Presentation by CD1d+ B Cells Is Essential for the Maintenance of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells

Summary B cells perform many immunological functions, including presenting lipid antigen to CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, known to contribute to maintaining tolerance in autoimmunity. Patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) display dysregulated B cell responses and reduced peripheral iNKT cell frequencies. The significance of these defects and how they relate to SLE pathogenesis remain elusive. We report that B cells are essential for iNKT cell expansion and activation in healthy donors but fail to exert a similar effect in SLE patients. Defective B cell-mediated stimulation of iNKT cells in SLE patients was associated with altered CD1d recycling, a defect recapitulated in B cells from healthy donors after stimulation with interferon-α (IFN-α) and anti-immunoglobulin (Ig). iNKT cell number and function were restored in SLE patients responding to anti-CD20 treatment upon normalization of CD1d expression exclusively in repopulated immature B cells. We propose that healthy B cells are pivotal for iNKT cell homeostasis.

Highlights ► B cells sustain iNKT cell homeostasis and activation in healthy individuals ► SLE B cells fail to sustain iNKT cell homeostasis and activation ► SLE B cells were characterized by a profound decrease in surface CD1d expression ► Correct trafficking of CD1d is important for the maintenance of iNKT cell homeostasis