[Frontiers in Bioscience S4, 1031-1043 , January 1, 2012]

A Role for TLRs in Moraxella-superantigen induced polyclonal B cell activation

Kalpana Singh1, Burcu Bayrak1, Kristian Riesbeck1

1Medical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine Malmo, Skane University Hospital, Lund University, SE-20502, Malmo, Sweden

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Moraxella IgD binding protein (MID)
3.1. MID: structure and function
3.2. MID as a B-cell superantigen
4. B cell receptor (BCR) cross-linking and Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation: A synergistic approach to activate B cells
4.1. Moraxella- dependent BCR cross-linking and activation via TLRs
4.2. Moraxella outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and B cell activation
5. Implications of polyclonal B cell activation by Moraxella
6. Acknowledgements
7. References

1. ABSTRACT

A number of microorganisms are capable of binding immunoglobulins (Igs) in a manner, which excludes binding to conventional antigen binding sites. Interaction of such bacterial proteins with surface immunoglobulins leads to polyclonal activation of B-lymphocytes. A recent example is Moraxella catarrhalis that binds to B lymphocytes in an IgD-dependent manner and induces proliferation and differentiation of B lymphocytes leading to the production of unspecific Igs. The activation is mediated by Moraxella IgD binding protein (MID), which specifically binds to both soluble IgD and the IgD B cell receptor (BCR). Besides cross-linking the BCR, whole Moraxella and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) engage Toll like receptors (TLRs) to further increase the response. TLR activation leads to initiation of signaling pathways, which evoke a proinflammatory response against the invading microbes. Polyclonal B cell activation has in general been implicated in various phenomenons that are detrimental for the host but beneficial for pathogens, for example, autoimmune manifestations and redirection of the immune system.