Tolerogenic CX3CR1+ B cells suppress food allergy-induced intestinal inflammation in mice

BackgroundB lymphocytes are an important cell population of the immune regulation; their role in the regulation of food allergy has not been fully understood yet. ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the role of a subpopulation of tolerogenic B cells (TolBC) in the generation of regulatory T cells (Treg) and in the suppression of food allergy-induced intestinal inflammation in mice. MethodsThe intestinal mucosa-derived CD5(+) CD19(+) CX3CR1(+) TolBCs were characterized by flow cytometry; a mouse model of intestinal T helper (Th)2 inflammation was established to assess the immune regulatory role of this subpopulation of TolBCs. ResultsA subpopulation of CD5(+) CD19(+) CX3CR1(+) B cells was detected in the mouse intestinal mucosa. The cells also expressed transforming growth factor (TGF)- and carried integrin alpha v beta 6 (v6). Exposure to recombinant v6 and anti-IgM antibody induced naive B cells to differentiate into the TGF--producing TolBCs. Coculturing this subpopulation of TolBCs with Th0 cells generated CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs. Adoptive transfer with the TolBCs markedly suppressed the food allergy-induced intestinal Th2 pattern inflammation in mice. ConclusionsCD5(+) CD19(+) CX3CR1(+) TolBCs are capable of inducing Tregs in the intestine and suppress food allergy-related Th2 pattern inflammation in mice.