Abstract
A novel role for human neutrophilic granulocytes was recently described, showing that these cells, upon entering the spleen, can be reprogrammed into a distinct B cell-helper neutrophil phenotype that is capable of eliciting B cell responses such as immunoglobulin secretion, class switch recombination and somatic hypermutation. Using similar protocols, we detected a homogeneous population of CD15highCD16high neutrophils in fresh human spleen samples, which did not differ in phenotype and function from blood neutrophils. No phenotypic characteristics of costimulatory nature were detected on splenic or circulating neutrophils, nor could we reproduce the immunoglobulin production of splenic B cells in the presence of splenic neutrophils, although B cell function and neutrophil activity were normal. Independent confirmation of a role for NBH cells is required.
Highlights
The marginal zone (MZ) in the spleen has a well defined structure and function [1]
Our findings indicated that the phenotype of human splenic neutrophils is not different from circulating neutrophils, and their role in marginal zone B (MZ B) cell activation is limited, if present at all
We could not reproduce the stimulation of immunoglobulin production in human MZ B cells by splenic neutrophils, despite the fact that both the MZ B cells and the neutrophils we isolated were fully viable and functional
Summary
The marginal zone (MZ) in the spleen has a well defined structure and function [1]. It contains a specialized subset of B cells, the marginal zone B (MZ B) cells. Puga et al described a novel specialized subset of neutrophils in the human spleen capable of stimulating B-cell responses against TI-antigens [10]. These splenic neutrophils or ‘B cell-helper neutrophils’ (NBH cells) were shown to induce IgM production, CSR and SHM in MZ B cells. NBH cells were reported to express B-cell-stimulating molecules, such as CD40L, BAFF, APRIL and IL-21, to induce MZ B cell responses. These neutrophils were divided into 2 distinct subsets: NBH1 (CD15intCD16int) and NBH2 (CD15lowCD16low) cells. Our findings indicated that the phenotype of human splenic neutrophils is not different from circulating neutrophils, and their role in MZ B cell activation is limited, if present at all
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