Toll-like receptor ligation for the induction of regulatory B cells

Methods Mol Biol. 2014:1190:127-41. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1161-5_10.

Abstract

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key components for the recognition of microorganisms, for the initiation of innate immunity, and for promoting adaptive immune responses. TLR signaling in B cells, in addition to B cell receptor or CD40 ligation, plays an important role in B cell differentiation and activation. In contrast, various infectious agents and/or TLR ligands can also prime B cells to induce tolerance and downregulate inflammatory reactions; those B cells are called regulatory B (Breg) cells and are characterized by a dominant IL-10 production. Several studies have suggested that Breg cells are impaired in patients with autoimmune diseases and allergic asthma. However, the role for TLR ligands in the induction of Breg cells as a potential therapy for some of these inflammatory diseases has not yet been investigated. Here, we provide detailed instructions on how to analyze and validate cytokine production in human and mouse B cells in response to various TLR ligands. Furthermore, we describe an assay to investigate the suppressive properties of TLR-induced B cells to confirm their regulatory B cell status.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD19 / analysis
  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Cell Separation / methods
  • Coculture Techniques / methods
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Interleukin-10 / analysis
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology
  • Mice
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Toll-Like Receptors / analysis
  • Toll-Like Receptors / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • Cytokines
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Interleukin-10