Marginating transitional B cells modulate neutrophils in the lung during inflammation and pneumonia

Pulmonary innate immunity is required for host defense; however, excessive neutrophil inflammation can cause lifethreatening acute lung injury. B lymphocytes can be regulatory, yet little is known about peripheral transitional IgM(+) B cells in terms of regulatory properties. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we discovered eight IgM(+) B cell subsets with unique gene regulatory networks in the lung circulation dominated by transitional type 1 B and type 2 B (T2B) cells. Lung intravital confocal microscopy revealed that T2B cells marginate in the pulmonary capillaries via CD49e and require CXCL13 and CXCR5. During lung inflammation, marginated T2B cells dampened excessive neutrophil vascular inflammation via the specialized proresolving molecule lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4)). Exogenous CXCL13 dampened excessive neutrophilic inflammation by increasing marginated B cells, and LXA(4) recapitulated neutrophil regulation in B cell-deficient mice during inflammation and fungal pneumonia. Thus, the lung microvasculature is enriched in multiple IgM(+) B cell subsets with marginating capillary T2B cells that dampen neutrophil responses.

Automated summary

This study identified multiple IgM(+) B cell subsets in the lung circulation, with transitional type B and T2B cells playing a crucial role in regulating neutrophil inflammation responses.