Evolution of autoreactive GC and epitope spreading in lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an incurable autoimmune disease and represents a substantial health problem in the population. Longitudinal studies of patients and murine models of SLE identify development of autoantibodies against new epitopes over time that correlate with increased pathology. The phenomena is referred to as epitope spreading, i.e. development of autoantibodies against determinants other than the initiating self-antigen. While the mechanism underlying epitope spreading remains unclear, we propose that spontaneous activation of a single B cell clone along with T cell help can promote activation and expansion of multiple distinct clones of nai"ve self-reactive B cells in both GC-dependent and -independent sites where they can be positively selected and undergo affinity maturation, compete and differentiate into effector cells leading to epitope spreading. In order to characterize the dynamics of self-reactive B cells arising in GC-dependent and -independent sites in more depth, we developed a novel adoptive transfer model. In this mouse model, donor B cells from WT or genetic mutants are transferred into lupus mice bearing a single BCR specific for nuclear antigen. We found that the self-reactive WT B cells underwent clonal selection and affinity maturation resulting in single WT clones dominating the GC response much like that observed in our previously reported mixed BM chimeras using the same lupus strain. Remarkably, the donor B cells rapidly expanded over 7 divisions in a GC-independent response that was Tlr 7 and MHC II dependent resulting in selection of a novel subset of effector B cells with a DN2-like phenotype observed in lupus patients (CD11c+CD21 lo). Unexpectedly, donor B cells deficient in CD11c failed to compete with WT donor cells and develop into effector B cells. In the current proposal, we will characterize further the events initiating spontaneous escape of B and T cell tolerance in GC-dependent and -independent responses resulting in epitope spreading. Moreover, we will characterize single TCR that provide functional help in co-stimulation of self-reactive B cells and their antigen specificity. Finally, we will track migration of activated donor cells in the splenic white pulp that give rise to self-reactive effector B cells using a novel spacial transcriptomics approach referred to as MERFISH. Two broad aims are proposed: Aim 1. Characterize the developmental kinetics and functional dynamics of self-reactive extra follicular ASCs. Aim 2. Characterize the role of Tfh cells in epitope spreading of GC-dependent and -independent self-reactive B cells.