Antigen targeting reveals splenic CD169+ macrophages as promoters of germinal center B‐cell responses. Issue 3 (14th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Veninga, Henrike; Borg, Ellen G. F.; Vreeman, Kyle; Taylor, Philip R.; Kalay, Hakan; van Kooyk, Yvette; Kraal, Georg; Martinez‐Pomares, Luisa; den Haan, Joke M.M.
• Is Part Of: European journal of immunology. Volume 45:Issue 3(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 747
• Page End: 757
• Publication Date: 2015-01-14
• Subjects: Immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1002/eji.201444983
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-2980

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Ag delivery to specific APCs is an attractive approach in developing strategies for vaccination. CD169⁺ macrophages in the marginal zone of the spleen represent a suitable target for delivery of Ag because of their strategic location, which is optimal for the capture of blood‐borne Ag and their close proximity to B cells and T cells in the white pulp. Here we show that Ag targeting to CD169⁺ macrophages in mice resulted in strong, isotype‐switched, high‐affinity Ab production and the preferential induction and long‐term persistence of Ag‐specific GC B cells and follicular Th cells. In agreement with these observations, CD169⁺ macrophages retained intact Ag, induced cognate activation of B cells, and increased expression of costimulatory molecules upon activation. In addition, macrophages were required for the production of cytokines that promote B‐cell responses. Our results identify CD169⁺ macrophages as promoters of high‐affinity humoral immune responses and emphasize the value of CD169 as target for Ag delivery to improve vaccine responses.</p> </abstract>