Hematologic disorder-associated Cxcr4 gain-of-function mutation leads to uncontrolled extrafollicular immune response

The extrafollicular immune response is essential to generate a rapid but transient wave of protective antibodies during infection. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms controlling this first response are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that enhanced Cxcr4 signaling caused by defective receptor desensitization leads to exacerbated extrafollicular B-cell response. Using a mouse model bearing a gain-of-function mutation of Cxcr4 described in 2 human hematologic disorders, warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome and Waldenstro m macroglobulinemia, we demonstrated that mutant B cells exhibited enhanced mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling, cycled more, and differentiated more potently into plasma cells than wild-type B cells after Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation. Moreover, Cxcr4 gain of function promoted enhanced homing and persistence of immature plasma cells in the bone marrow, a phenomenon recapitulated in WHIM syndrome patient samples. This translated in increased and more sustained production of antibodies after T-independent immunization in Cxcr4 mutant mice. Thus, our results establish that fine-tuning of Cxcr4 signaling is essential to limit the strength and length of the extrafollicular immune response.

Automated summary

Enhanced Cxcr4 signaling due to defective receptor desensitization leads to exacerbated extrafollicular B-cell response, as demonstrated in a mouse model bearing a gain-of-function mutation of Cxcr4 found in human hematologic disorders. Mutant B cells exhibit enhanced mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling, cycle more, and differentiate more potently into plasma cells after Toll-like receptor stimulation. Additionally, Cxcr4 gain of function promotes enhanced homing and persistence of immature plasma cells in the bone marrow, resulting in increased and more sustained antibody production after T-independent immunization.