Activation-induced cytidine deaminase expression by thymic B cells promotes T-cell tolerance and limits autoimmunity

Elimination of self-reactive T cells in the thymus is critical to establish T-cell tolerance. A growing body of evidence suggests a role for thymic B cells in the elimination of self-reactive thymocytes. To specifically address the role of thymic B cells in central tolerance, we investigated the phenotype of thymic B cells in various mouse strains, including non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model of autoimmune diabetes. We noted that isotype switching of NOD thymic B cells is reduced as compared to other, autoimmune-resistant, mouse strains. To determine the impact of B cell isotype switching on thymocyte selec-tion and tolerance, we generated NOD.AID(-/-) mice. Diabetes incidence was enhanced in these mice. Moreover, we observed reduced clonal deletion and a resulting increase in self-reactive CD4(+) T cells in NOD.AID(-/-) mice relative to NOD controls. Together, this study reveals that AID expression in thymic B cells contributes to T-cell tolerance.

Automated summary

The elimination of self-reactive T cells in the thymus is crucial for establishing T-cell tolerance. Thymic B cells have been found to play a role in this process. This study focused on investigating the phenotype of thymic B cells in different mouse strains, particularly the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice which serve as a model for autoimmune diabetes. The study found that reduced isotype switching of NOD thymic B cells contributed to a decrease in thymocyte selection and an increase in self-reactive CD4(+) T cells, suggesting the importance of AID expression in thymic B cells for T-cell tolerance.