Gene expression profiling in NOD mice reveals that B cells are highly educated by the pancreatic environment during autoimmune diabetes

Aims/hypothesis B cells play an important role in driving the development of type 1 diabetes; however, it remains unclear how they contribute to local beta cell destruction during disease progression. Here, we use gene expression profiling of B cell subsets identified in inflamed pancreatic tissue to explore their primary functional role during the progression of autoimmune diabetes. Methods Transcriptional profiling was performed on FACS-sorted B cell subsets isolated from pancreatic islets and the pancreatic lymph nodes of NOD mice. Results B cells are highly modified by the inflamed pancreatic tissue and can be distinguished by their transcriptional profile from those in the lymph nodes. We identified both a discrete and a core shared gene expression profile in islet $ CD19^{+} %$ CD138^{–} $ and $ CD19^{+} %$ CD138^{+} $ B cell subsets, the latter of which is known to have enriched autoreactivity during diabetes development. On localisation to pancreatic islets, compared with $ CD138^{–} $ B cells, $ CD138^{+} $ B cells overexpress genes associated with adhesion molecules and growth factors. Their shared signature consists of gene expression changes related to the differentiation of antibody-secreting cells and gene regulatory networks associated with IFN signalling pathways, proinflammatory cytokines and Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation. Finally, abundant TLR7 expression was detected in islet B cells and was enhanced specifically in $ CD138^{+} $ B cells. Conclusions/interpretation Our study provides a detailed transcriptional analysis of islet B cells. Specific gene signatures and interaction networks have been identified that point towards a functional role for B cells in driving autoimmune diabetes. Graphical abstract.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2022

Erschienen:

2022

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:66

Enthalten in:

Diabetologia - 66(2022), 3 vom: 12. Dez., Seite 551-566

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Boldison, Joanne [VerfasserIn]
Hopkinson, Jessica R. [VerfasserIn]
Davies, Joanne [VerfasserIn]
Pearson, James A. [VerfasserIn]
Leete, Pia [VerfasserIn]
Richardson, Sarah [VerfasserIn]
Morgan, Noel G. [VerfasserIn]
Wong, F. Susan [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext [kostenfrei]

Themen:

Autoimmunity
B cells
Pancreatic islets
TLR7
Type 1 diabetes

Anmerkungen:

© The Author(s) 2022

doi:

10.1007/s00125-022-05839-7

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

SPR049205730