Logo image
Hemolysis-associated phosphatidylserine exposure promotes polyclonal plasmablast differentiation
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Hemolysis-associated phosphatidylserine exposure promotes polyclonal plasmablast differentiation

Rahul Vijay, Jenna J. Guthmiller, Alexandria J. Sturtz, Sequoia Crooks, Jordan T. Johnson, Lei Li, Linda Yu-Ling Lan, Rosemary L. Pope, Yani Chen, Kai J. Rogers, …
The Journal of experimental medicine, Vol.218(6), e20202359
06/07/2021
DOI: 10.1084/jem.20202359
PMCID: PMC8040514
PMID: 33830176
url
https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20202359View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Antimalarial antibody responses are essential for mediating the clearance of Plasmodium parasite-infected RBCs from infected hosts. However, the rapid appearance of large numbers of plasmablasts in Plasmodium-infected hosts can suppress the development and function of durable humoral immunity. Here, we identify that the formation of plasmablast populations in Plasmodium-infected mice is mechanistically linked to both hemolysis-induced exposure of phosphatidylserine on damaged RBCs and inflammatory cues. We also show that virus and Trypanosoma infections known to trigger hemolytic anemia and high-grade inflammation also induce exuberant plasmablast responses. The induction of hemolysis or administration of RBC membrane ghosts increases plasmablast differentiation. The phosphatidylserine receptor Axl is critical for optimal plasmablast formation, and blocking phosphatidylserine limits plasmablast expansions and reduces Plasmodium parasite burden in vivo. Our findings support that strategies aimed at modulating polyclonal B cell activation and phosphatidylserine exposure may improve immune responses against Plasmodium parasites and potentially other infectious diseases that are associated with anemia.
Immunology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Medicine, Research & Experimental Research & Experimental Medicine Science & Technology

Details

Metrics

Logo image