Angiotensin II synergizes with BAFF to promote atheroprotective regulatory B cells

Angiotensin II (AngII) promotes hypertension, atherogenesis, vascular aneurysm and impairs post-ischemic cardiac remodeling through concerted roles on vascular cells, monocytes and T lymphocytes. However, the role of AngII in B lymphocyte responses is largely unexplored. Here, we show that chronic B cell depletion (Baffr deficiency) significantly reduces atherosclerosis in Apoe (−/−) mice infused with AngII. While adoptive transfer of B cells in Apoe (−/−) /Baffr (−/−) mice reversed atheroprotection in the absence of AngII, infusion of AngII in B cell replenished Apoe (−/−) /Baffr (−/−) mice unexpectedly prevented the progression of atherosclerosis. Atheroprotection observed in these mice was associated with a significant increase in regulatory CD1d(hi)CD5(+) B cells, which produced high levels of interleukin (IL)-10 (B10 cells). Replenishment of Apoe (−/−) /Baffr (−/−) mice with Il10 (−/−) B cells reversed AngII-induced B cell-dependent atheroprotection, thus highlighting a protective role of IL-10(+) regulatory B cells in this setting. Transfer of AngII type 1A receptor deficient (Agtr1a (−/−)) B cells into Apoe (−/−) /Baffr (−/−) mice substantially reduced the production of IL-10 by B cells and prevented the AngII-dependent atheroprotective B cell phenotype. Consistent with the in vivo data, AngII synergized with BAFF to induce IL-10 production by B cells in vitro via AngII type 1A receptor. Our data demonstrate a previously unknown synergy between AngII and BAFF in inducing IL-10 production by B cells, resulting in atheroprotection.