B lymphocytes contribute to indirect pathway T cell sensitization via acquisition of extracellular vesicles
Pablo D. Becker, Kulachelvy Ratnasothy, Monica Sen, Qi Peng, Marco Romano, Jordan Bazoer, Erik Suvitra, Anas Stout, Shannon G. Hylton, Anthony Dorling, Robert I. Lechler, Lesley A. Smyth, Giovanna Lombardi
Abstract
skin transplant. T cell proliferation was markedly inhibited in the absence of recipient B cells, suggesting that B cells contribute to indirect pathway sensitization. Furthermore, we have shown that a possible way in which B cells present alloantigens is via acquisition of MHC-peptide complexes. Finally, we demonstrate that the addition of B cell depletion to the transfer of regulatory T cells (Tregs) with indirect alloresponse further prolonged skin graft survival. This study supports an important role for B cells in indirect T cell priming and further emphasizes the advantage of combination therapies in prolonging transplant survival.