TIM-4 Identifies Effector B Cells Expressing a RORγt-Driven Proinflammatory Cytokine Module That Promotes Immune Responsiveness.

Abstract

B cells can express pro-inflammatory cytokines that promote a wide variety of immune responses. Here we show that B cells expressing the phosphatidylserine receptor TIM-4, preferentially express IL-17A, as well as IL-22, IL-6, IL-1β, and GM-CSF - a collection of cytokines reminiscent of pathogenic Th17 cells. Expression of this proinflammatory module requires IL-23R signaling and selective expression of RORγt and IL-17A by TIM-4⁺ B cells. TIM-4⁺ B cell-derived-IL-17A not only enhances the severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and promotes allograft rejection, but also acts in an autocrine manner to prevent their conversion into IL-10-expressing B cells with regulatory function. Thus, IL-17A acts as an inflammatory mediator and also enforces the proinflammatory activity of TIM-4⁺ B cells. Thus, TIM-4 serves as a broad marker for RORγt⁺ effector B cells (Beff) and allows further study of the signals regulating Beff differentiation and effector molecule expression.