Robust T-cell stimulation by Epstein-Barr virus–transformed B cells after antigen targeting to DEC-205

CS Leung, MA Maurer, S Meixlsperger… - Blood, The Journal …, 2013 - ashpublications.org
CS Leung, MA Maurer, S Meixlsperger, A Lippmann, C Cheong, J Zuo, TA Haigh, GS Taylor
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2013ashpublications.org
DEC-205 is a type I transmembrane multilectin receptor that is predominantly expressed on
dendritic cells (DCs). Therefore, previous studies primarily focused on processing of DEC-
205–targeted antigens by this potent antigen presenting cell type. Here we show that
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformed lymphoblastoid B-cell lines (LCLs) not only express
DEC-205 at similar levels to DCs, but also efficiently present targeted EBV nuclear antigen 1
(EBNA1) and EBV-latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) to EBNA1-and LMP1-specific CD4+ …
Abstract
DEC-205 is a type I transmembrane multilectin receptor that is predominantly expressed on dendritic cells (DCs). Therefore, previous studies primarily focused on processing of DEC-205–targeted antigens by this potent antigen presenting cell type. Here we show that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformed lymphoblastoid B-cell lines (LCLs) not only express DEC-205 at similar levels to DCs, but also efficiently present targeted EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and EBV-latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) to EBNA1- and LMP1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell clones in vitro. Targeting of antigens to DEC-205 on B cells led to more efficient MHC class II than I loading, and stimulated T cells more efficiently than targeting to DEC-205 on DCs. Although LCLs internalized DEC-205–targeted antigens less efficiently than DCs, they retained them for longer time periods and delivered them to endosomal compartments that receive also B-cell receptor targeted proteins. This could facilitate prolonged T-cell stimulation and efficient MHC class II loading, and, indeed, CD4+ T-cell expansion by DEC-205–targeted vaccination was significantly compromised in B-cell deficient mice. These studies suggest that B cells, activated by virus transformation or other means, can contribute to T-cell stimulation after DEC-205 targeting of antigens during vaccination.
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