ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2022 American Transplant Congress
    • 2021 American Transplant Congress
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2021 Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Search

Non-Human Primate B Cells Into Regulatory B Cells by Activation with CpG

K. Lee1, C. Rickert1, K. Deng1, N. Feeney1, N. Tanimine2, Q. Fu1, G. Huai1, J. Lei1, C. Leguern1, J. Markmann1

1Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 2Gastroenterological Transplantation Surgery, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan

Meeting: 2020 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: B-356

Keywords: B cells, Mice, T cell reactivity, T cells

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session B: Islet cell and cell Transplantation

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Saturday, May 30, 2020

Session Time: 3:15pm-4:00pm

 Presentation Time: 3:30pm-4:00pm

Location: Virtual

*Purpose: We previously generated Toll like receptor (TLR)-activated B cells in rodent settings. These B cells can suppress T cell proliferation via in vitro mixed lymphocytes reaction and promote allograft tolerance as Regulatory B cells (Bregs). A continuous effort toward Bregs drove us to generate TLR-activated B cells in Non-human primate using same protocol in the murine model. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of their phenotype, function, and mechanism to suppress T cell responses.

*Methods: Purified splenic NHP B cells were activated with CpG ODN 2006-5G for 3 days with addition of LPS, PMA, and ionomycin for the last 5 hours. They were then harvested and co-cultured with CFSE-labeled autologous T cells stimulated with polyclonal CD3/CD28 beads or PHA. At day 4, proliferation was measured by flow cytometry. In some cultures, anti-PD1, or anti-GzmB was added to evaluate their role in suppressing T cell proliferation.

*Results: Majority of CpG/LPI-NHP B cells had immature phenotypes, CD20+CD21+CD27-IgM+ on surface. In in vitro experiment, they effectively suppressed CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation and reduced their viability upon stimulation, while B cells with only CpG activation did not. The CpG/LPI-NHP B cells expressed higher levels of LAP, a surrogate marker for TGF-β, and programed death (PD1), but not expressed high level of IL-10 comparing to naïve NHP B cells. Instead, it seemed that Granzym B (GzmB) was instrumental to the suppressive effect because the blockade of GzmB increased the proliferation in the coculture.

*Conclusions: We have successfully generated NHP Bregs with in vitro suppressive capacity toward T cell responses. Here we show for the first time that CpG-activated NHP B cells exert regulatory function. Our studies suggest that Bregs may provide great option for regulatory cell based therapy. We are pursuing the translational potential of Bregs in a large animal model by evaluating their regulatory function in vivo.

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Lee K, Rickert C, Deng K, Feeney N, Tanimine N, Fu Q, Huai G, Lei J, Leguern C, Markmann J. Non-Human Primate B Cells Into Regulatory B Cells by Activation with CpG [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2020; 20 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/non-human-primate-b-cells-into-regulatory-b-cells-by-activation-with-cpg/. Accessed May 10, 2025.

« Back to 2020 American Transplant Congress

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2025 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Preferences