B1-cell-produced anti-phosphatidylserine antibodies contribute to lupus nephritis development via TLR-mediated Syk activation

Autoantibodies produced by B cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, both the cellular source of antiphospholipid antibodies and their contributions to the development of lupus nephritis (LN) remain largely unclear. Here, we report a pathogenic role of anti-phosphatidylserine (PS) autoantibodies in the development of LN. Elevated serum PS-specific IgG levels were measured in model mice and SLE patients, especially in those with LN. PS-specific IgG accumulation was found in the kidney biopsies of LN patients. Both transfer of SLE PS-specific IgG and PS immunization triggered lupus-like glomerular immune complex deposition in recipient mice. ELISPOT analysis identified B1a cells as the main cell type that secretes PS-specific IgG in both lupus model mice and patients. Adoptive transfer of PS-specific B1a cells accelerated the PS-specific autoimmune response and renal damage in recipient lupus model mice, whereas depletion of B1a cells attenuated lupus progression. In culture, PS-specific B1a cells were significantly expanded upon treatment with chromatin components, while blockade of TLR signal cascades by DNase I digestion and inhibitory ODN 2088 or R406 treatment profoundly abrogated chromatin-induced PS-specific IgG secretion by lupus B1a cells. Thus, our study has demonstrated that the anti-PS autoantibodies produced by B1 cells contribute to lupus nephritis development. Our findings that blockade of the TLR/Syk signaling cascade inhibits PS-specific B1-cell expansion provide new insights into lupus pathogenesis and may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of LN in SLE.