B Cell-Intrinsic STING Signaling Triggers Cell Activation, Synergizes with B Cell Receptor Signals, and Promotes Antibody Responses

Generation of protective immune responses requires coordinated stimulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. An important mediator of innate immunity is stimulator of IFN genes (STING, MPYS, MITA), a ubiquitously but differentially expressed adaptor molecule that functions in the relay of signals initiated by sensing of cytosolic DNA and bacterial cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs). Whereas systemic expression of STING is required for CDN-aided mucosal Ab responses, its function in B cells in particular is unclear. In this study, we show that B cells can be directly activated by CDNs in a STING-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo. Direct activation of B cells by CDNs results in upregulation of costimulatory molecules and cytokine production and this can be accompanied by caspase-dependent cell death. CDN-induced cytokine production by B cells and other cell types also contributes to activation and immune responses. Type I IFN is primarily responsible for this indirect stimulation although other cytokines may contribute. BCR and STING signaling pathways act synergistically to promote Ab responses independent of type I IFN. B cell expression of STING is required for optimal in vivo IgG and mucosal IgA Ab responses induced by T cell-dependent Ags and cyclic-di-GMP but plays no discernable role in Ab responses in which alum is used as an adjuvant. Thus, STING functions autonomously in B cells responding to CDNs, and its activation synergizes with Ag receptor signals to promote B cell activation.