1. Immunology and Inflammation

B cell expression of an enzymatic intermediary in ether lipid biosynthesis promotes antibody responses and germinal center size

  1. Sung Hoon Cho  Is a corresponding author
  2. Marissa A Jones
  3. Kaylor Meyer
  4. David M Anderson
  5. Sergiy Chetyrkin
  6. M Wade Calcutt
  7. Richard M Caprioli
  8. Clay F Semenkovich
  9. Mark R Boothby  Is a corresponding author
  1. Department of Pathology-Microbiology-Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States
  2. Vanderbilt Centerfor Immunobiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States
  3. Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Inflammation, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States
  4. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States
  5. Mass Spectrometry Research Center and Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical School, United States
  6. Division of Endocrinology Metabolism and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University, United States
  7. Cancer Biology Program, Vanderbilt University, United States
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.104580.3
Share this article
Cite this article
  1. Sung Hoon Cho
  2. Marissa A Jones
  3. Kaylor Meyer
  4. David M Anderson
  5. Sergiy Chetyrkin
  6. M Wade Calcutt
  7. Richard M Caprioli
  8. Clay F Semenkovich
  9. Mark R Boothby
(2026)
B cell expression of an enzymatic intermediary in ether lipid biosynthesis promotes antibody responses and germinal center size
eLife 14:RP104580.
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.104580.3
  2. Download BibTeX
  3. Download .RIS
9 figures, 3 tables and 2 additional files

Figures

Figure 1 with 1 supplement
Download asset Open asset
PexRAP promotes GC response.

(A) Schematic of immunization with SRBC after inactivation of Dhrs7b in adult mice. Mice (Rosa26-CreERT2; Dhrs7b+/+, or Rosa26-CreERT2; Dhrs7bff) were treated with tamoxifen, immunized with SRBC, and harvested 1 week after immunization, as described in Materials and methods. (B) Deletion efficiency of Dhrs7b conditional alleles. B and T lymphocytes were isolated from spleens of Rosa26-CreERT2 or Dhrs7bf/f;Rosa26-CreERT2 mice after in vivo tamoxifen injections followed by immunization with SRBC. WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ were analyzed by immunoblotting with antibodies directed against PexRAP (protein product of Dhrs7b) and actin (internal loading control). (C, D) PexRAP acutely regulates B cell numbers. Representative flow plots of viable splenic B cells (C) and aggregate data for three biologically independent replicate experiments (D) (n=8 WT and 7 cKO). For data on T cells, see Figure 1—figure supplement 1A–C. (E, F) Effect of PexRAP on GC B cell response. Flow plots of GL7+ CD95+ GC B cells in the gate for viable IgD-negative (IgDneg), dump-negative B cells (E), and aggregated frequencies and numbers of GC B cells, as indicated, in the three replicate experiments (F). (G, H) PexRAP impact on GC response. After tamoxifen injections, Dhrs7b-deficient mice [Rosa26-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f (Lodhi et al., 2015b)] and WT controls (Rosa26-CreERT2) were immunized with SRBC and analyzed 7 days later, as in A–F. Data on gating strategy, GC counts per unit area and LZ area are in Figure 1—figure supplement 1D–F and on Tfh cells in Figure 1—figure supplement 1G. (G, H) Shown are representative images from immunofluorescence staining of spleens with the indicated Ab in two independent experiments (5 WT vs 4 Dhrs7b cKO, i.e. Dhrs7bΔ/Δ), showing a low-power overview with many follicles (G) and a representative higher-magnification image to better delineate primary and secondary follicles (H). (I) Quantitation of number (left panel) and size (right panel) of GC in spleen sections, with GL7+, IgDneg areas that include both CD35+ (LZ) and CD35neg (DZ) areas. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to calculate p values. Additional information is in Figure 1—figure supplement 1.

Figure 1—source data 1

Raw images for the immunoblots shown in Figure 1B.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/104580/elife-104580-fig1-data1-v1.zip
Figure 1—source data 2

Uncropped images for the immunoblots shown in Figure 1B, with relevant bands labelled.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/104580/elife-104580-fig1-data2-v1.zip
Figure 1—figure supplement 1
Download asset Open asset
PexRAP is dispensable for T cell numbers, but impacts the Tfh cell population prevalence.

Results from flow cytometry analyses of splenocytes from mice (Rosa26-CreERT2, Dhrs7b+/+, ‘WT’ or Rosa26-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f, ‘Dhrs7b Δ/Δ’) harvested after sequential tamoxifen treatments followed by immunization with SRBC and harvest 1 week thereafter, all as described in Materials and methods and illustrated in Figure 1A. (A–C) Normal numbers of T cells. Shown are representative flow plots of splenic T cells (A), mean (± SEM) frequencies of TCRβ+ CD4+ T cells (B), and CD8 (TCRβ+ CD4-) T cells (C) from WT and Dhrs7b Δ/Δ (cKO) mice based on three replicate experiments totaling 8 WT and 7 cKO mice. (D) Linking to Figure 1C–F, representative gating scheme illustrating the flow-cytometric determination of splenic B cell frequencies and numbers (overall and GC B phenotype) in mice immunized as in A-C, Figure 1A. (E, F) Linking to Figure 1G–I, frequencies of GC, plotted as GC/mm2 (E) and sizes of their LZ (plotted as area of each GC in the microscopic sections) (F) identified by immunofluorescent staining and microscopy of spleen sections from immunized mice. (G) Representative gating scheme illustrating the flow cytometric determination of Tfh and GC-Tfh cells in splenocyte suspensions of mice prepared and immunized as in Figure 1. (H, I) PexRAP promotes Tfh cell population size. (H) Shown are representative flow plots of Tfh and GC-Tfh cells, determined using the gating scheme of panel G. (I) Shown are mean (± SEM) frequencies of PD-1med CXCR5med Tfh cells (left) and PD-1hi CXCR5hi GC-Tfh cells (right) from WT and cKO mice in two independent replicate experiments (n=6 WT and 6 cKO).

Figure 2 with 1 supplement
Download asset Open asset
PexRAP promotes proliferation of B cells.

(A) Schematic of Dhrs7b inactivation in mature mice via tamoxifen treatment and a B cell type-specific conditional allele. Mice (huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7b+/+, or huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f) were injected with tamoxifen (d1, 3, 5) and harvested at day 10. (B) Deletion efficiency of conditional Dhrs7b alleles. After in vivo tamoxifen injections, B cells were isolated from spleens of huCD20-CreERT2 or Dhrs7bf/f; huCD20-CreERT2 mice, as indicated, and analyzed by immunoblotting as in Figure 1B. (C) PexRAP and the maintenance of B cells. Shown are the frequencies and the numbers of CD19+ B220+ B cells among viable lymphocytes in spleen (left and right panels, respectively). Data are pooled from four independent replicate experiments (n=12 WT and 12 cKO). Shown in box and whisker plots are the means, with whiskers that extend to the minimum and maximum values and boxes that outline upper and lower quartile values with the midline identifying the median. (D–F) PexRAP regulates B cell proliferation in vivo. CTV-labeled B cells were adoptively transferred into µMT recipient mice and analyzed 4 days thereafter. Shown are the frequencies of B220+ CD19+ events among splenocytes in the viable cell gate (D), along with representative flow plots of CTV partitioning and surface IgD in B cell gates, with rectangles defining the gating for divided <or ≥ 3 x, and IgD+ vs IgDneg. A similar difference was observed in analyzing divided vs undivided (E). (F) Aggregated frequencies of divided B cells from five independent replicate experiments, as defined in (E) (n=10 WT and 11 cKO). Additional data on the IgDneg population are in Figure 2—figure supplement 1G. (G–I) PexRAP promotes B cell proliferation in vitro. After in vivo tamoxifen injections, bead-purified B cells from spleens of CreERT2 mice (WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ, i.e. cKO) were stained with Cell Trace Violet (CTV), activated and cultured for 4 days in anti-CD40, BAFF, IL-4, IL-5, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen in three biologically independent experiments totaling 6 WT and 7 cKO mice. (G) Representative flow-cytometric analysis of CTV partitioning, with the gating line denoting multiply divided cells, with inset numbers representing the frequencies of such B cells in each of the two plots shown. (H) Quantified frequencies of divided ≥3 times. (I) Numbers of B cells recovered at the end of the cultures. Additional information is in Figure 2—figure supplement 1.

Figure 2—source data 1

Raw images for the immunoblots shown in Figure 2B.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/104580/elife-104580-fig2-data1-v1.zip
Figure 2—source data 2

Uncropped images for the immunoblots shown in Figure 2B, with relevant bands labelled.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/104580/elife-104580-fig2-data2-v1.zip
Figure 2—figure supplement 1
Download asset Open asset
PexRAP is dispensable for pre-immune B cell subset balance and surface IgM expression, but contributes to B cell population growth.

(A) A representative gating scheme illustrating the flow-cytometric estimation of the MZ and FO B cell populations in mice. (B, C) Shown are the mean (± SEM) frequencies of B220+ CD43neg CD23neg CD21+ MZB cells (left panel) and B220+ CD43neg CD23+ CD21lo FOB cells (right panel) in spleen (B), and aggregated mean (± SEM) geometric MFI of surface IgM on MZB and FOB subsets (C). (D) Gating strategy for identification of B1-b cells and measurement of their surface IgM levels. (E, F) Shown are the mean (± SEM) frequencies of B220+ CD23lo CD43+ CD5neg B1-b cells in peritoneal cavity (E), and aggregated mean (± SEM) geometric MFI of surface IgM on B1-b cells (F). (G) In vivo generation of IgDneg progeny from transferred B cells of the indicated genotypes, as measured in four independent replicate experiments (n=8 WT and 9 cKO). Shown are mean (± SEM) frequencies of IgDneg B cells as aggregate data for the frequencies of IgDneg events in the gate for viable B cells recovered from µMT recipient mice after transfer of WT or PexRAP-depleted B cells (experiments of Figure 2D–F), as indicated, with representative flow plots in Figure 2E. (H) PexRAP promotes B cell proliferation in vitro. B cells were purified and stained with CTV as in Figure 2G. WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ B cells were stained with Cell Trace Violet (CTV), activated and cultured for 4 days in anti-IgM, anti-CD40, BAFF, IL-4, IL-5, and 4-OHT. Shown are the representative flow-cytometric analysis of CTV partitioning (left), and aggregated frequencies of divided B cells from two independent replicate experiments, each using two separately sourced pools of B cells (n=4 WT and 4 cKO). p values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test.

Figure 3 with 1 supplement
Download asset Open asset
B cell expression of PexRAP is essential for normal concentrations of many ether phospholipids.

Splenic B cells (CreERT2+ or CreERT2+, Dhrs7b Δ/Δ) from tamoxifen-injected mice were analyzed by LC-MS-MS either directly ex vivo (‘Naive’) or after activation and culture (48 h) ("Activated") as in Figure 2. Shown are z-scored heat maps for the relative abundance of subsets of ether and plasmalogen phospholipids and lysophospholipids identified by exact mass and secondary fragmentation in (A) positive and/or (B) negative ion modes. PE, phosphatidylethanolamine; PC, phosphatidylcholine; LPE, lysophosphatidylethanolamine. More species are displayed in Figure 3—figure supplement 1. (C) Quantitated peak areas for activation-induced increases ('fold-induction' ratios of activated/resting, plotted on log10 scale) for the indicated ether, plasmalogen, and diacyl (non-ether) phospholipids in the PexRAP-sufficient and -depleted B cells. * denotes species for which -<0.05 for the effect of Dhrs7b inactivation. (D) Shown are the raw values of mean peak areas for the indicated species in the freshly purified and the activated B cells of the indicated genotypes, as indicated. (Three independent samples from individual mice of each genotype were analyzed.) * p<0.05, ** p<0.01 by unpaired Student’s t-test. Additional data, including controls comparing B cells of unmanipulated B6 mice to those expressing CreERT2 and injected with tamoxifen, are in Figure 3—figure supplement 1.

Figure 3—figure supplement 1
Download asset Open asset
Activation of B cells induces PexRAP-dependent increases in their ether and plasmalogen P-lipids.

As in Figure 3, B lymphocytes of the indicated Dhrs7b genotypes (WT and Δ/Δ) were prepared from individual tamoxifen-injected mice and divided to analyze without activation (‘naive’) or after activation and culture (48 hr; ‘activated’). Shown are heat maps with more extensive lists of ether phospholipids and plasmalogens identified in the LC-MS-MS analyses for both genotypes in positive (A) and negative (B) ion modes. (C, D) Controlling for transgene and tamoxifen effects. Shown are LC-MS-MS results for lipids in B cells, activated or not, as indicated, of conventional non-transgenic B6 mice not injected with tamoxifen and those of tamoxifen-injected CreERT2+ mice (the ‘+/+’ samples of panels A, B and of Figure 3). Bar graphs in (C) and (D) show results of these control comparisons for some of the phospholipids analyzed in prior figure panels (Figure 3A and B).

Figure 4 with 1 supplement
Download asset Open asset
PexRAP is essential for normal concentrations and distributions of some ether phospholipids in splenic follicles.

(A) Schematic diagram illustrating the 2D-IMS analysis work flow, image merging and quantitation. Spleens harvested 1 week after immunization with SRBC were used to generate serial tissue sections followed by immunofluorescence (IF) staining of one section and IMS analysis with the adjacent one. IF and IMS images were aligned to map ion intensity distributions to microanatomic regions (B cell follicle and GC). The intensities of specific ions on B cell follicles and GC regions were quantitated as described in Materials and methods. (B) Identification of ether lipid species localizing to lymphoid follicles. Representative ion images of two ions [m/z 752.5545, and m/z 776.5556] with spleens from immunized mice (WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ) as shown in Figure 1A. (C) Schematic of immunization for IMS analyses of B-cell-specific PexRAP loss. Mice of the indicated genotypes (huCD20-CreERT2±Dhrs7 bf/f) were treated with tamoxifen, immunized with SRBC, and harvested 1 week after immunization. (D) Identification of ether lipid species localizing to lymphoid follicles. Representative ion images of three ions [m/z 752.5545, m/z 872.5749, and m/z 700.4958] in mass spectrometry imaging of spleens from WT and Dhrs7b Δ B mice (shown as Dhrs7bΔ/Δ−B samples). Immunofluorescent images at higher magnification, delineating LZ and DZ marked by CD35 staining, along with quantification of sizes of GC and their LZ and DZ, are shown in Figure 5—figure supplement 1A,B. (E) Shown in the bar graphs are the mean (± SEM) ion intensities in primary lymphoid follicles (B cell zones) and GC from spleens of WT and Dhrs7b Δ B mice, immunized or not (‘UI’) as indicated. Median intensity of each ion was obtained from 3 follicles / spleen and 3 GC / spleen from WT and Dhrs7b Δ B mice (three biological replications comprising 7 WT and 6 cKO spleens). p values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test. Additional data are in Figure 4—figure supplement 1.

Figure 4—figure supplement 1
Download asset Open asset
Immunization induces increases in P-lipids of both primary and secondary follicles dependent on PexRAP in B cells.

(A, B) Selected representative m/z features Spleens of AID-GFP were harvested at 7 days after immunization with SRBC and analyzed for exact mass signatures of ether lipid species in (A) negative and (B) positive ion modes. (C) Spleens of immunized mice (tamoxifen-treated huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f, i.e. Dhrs7b Δ B; shown as Dhrs7bΔ/Δ-B; and "WT", controls, i.e. huCD20-CreERT2Dhrs7b+/+) were analyzed by IMS. Shown are the positive ions presented in (B) for GC vs follicles of immunized AID-GFP mice. The bar graph shows the mean (± SEM) ion intensities in lymphoid follicles and GC from WT and Dhrs7b Δ B spleens. Median intensity of each ion was obtained from three follicles per spleen and three GCs per spleen from WT and Dhrs7b Δ B mice (three biological replication experiments totaling seven WT and six cKO subjects). p values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test.

Figure 5 with 1 supplement
Download asset Open asset
B-cell-intrinsic role of PexRAP in GC response.

(A) Schematic of immunization with NP-OVA in alum after inactivation of Dhrs7b in B lineage cells. Tamoxifen-treated WT (huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7b+/+) or Dhrs7b Δ B mice (huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f) were immunized with NP-OVA, with sera collected 3 weeks thereafter (‘10 response’), followed by boosting with NP-OVA and harvest 1 week after the 2nd immunization. (B, C) Representative flow plots of splenic IgDneg B cells (B) at the time of harvest (1 week after 2nd immunization), and aggregate data (C) for two replicate experiments (n=5 WT and 5 cKO). The cocktail of reagents for the dump channel included anti-IgD. (D, E) B-cell-intrinsic function of PexRAP in GC B cell response. Representative flow plots of GL7+ CD95+ GC B cells among viable IgDneg B cells (D), and aggregated frequencies and numbers of GC B cells for two replicate experiments (E). Mann-Whitney U test was used to calculate p values. (F, G) WT (huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7b+/+) or Dhrs7b Δ B mice (huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f) were injected with tamoxifen and immunized with SRBC as in Figure 4A. Shown are the representative flow plots of GL7+ CD38- GC B cells among IgDneg CD138neg viable B cells (F), and aggregate data (G) for two replicate experiments (n=6 WT and 6 cKO). (H) PexRAP is mostly dispensable for the balance of LZ and DZ B cells. The graph shows the mean (± SEM) frequencies (left) and the numbers (right) of CD86+ CXCR4lo LZ B cells and CD86neg CXCR4+ DZ B cells among IgDneg CD38neg CD138neg GL7+ GC cells. Mann-Whitney U test was used to calculate p values. Additional data are in Figure 5—figure supplement 1.

Figure 5—figure supplement 1
Download asset Open asset
A subset of ether phospholipids in primary follicles and GC (secondary follicles) depends on PexRAP in B cells.

(A) As in Figure 4, Dhrs7b was inactivated by tamoxifen injections into mice bearing the huCD20-CreERT2 transgene, followed by immunization with SRBC and analysis. Shown are representative higher-magnification images defining the primary (IgD+) and secondary (IgDlo/neg, GL7+) follicles and the identification of light (CD35+) and dark (CD35neg) zones. (B–C) After immunization and harvest of the mice as shown in Figure 4, the sizes of GC, light zones (LZ), and dark zones (DZ) in photomicrographs of sectioned and immunofluorescently stained spleens of the immunized mice (using three GC per spleen, with seven WT and five Dhrs7b Δ B) were quantified. (B) Spleens of immunized mice (tamoxifen-treated huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f and huCD20-CreERT2 controls, as indicated) were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining as in (A). Each dot represents one follicle in a given mouse. (C) Dot graph showing the ratio of LZ/DZ using the data of panel B. (D, E) Mice (huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7b+/+, or huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f) were treated with tamoxifen and immunized with SRBC as in Figure 4A, and were analyzed 7 days after immunization. (D) Shown are aggregated frequencies of CD138+ GL7+ early plasmablasts in B220+ IgDneg dumpneg gate (dump channel = IgD, CD11b, CD11c, F4/80, Gr1, TCRβ, and 7AAD). (E) The aggregated frequencies of GC-Tfh (PD-1hi, CXCR5hi) and Tfh (PD-1int, CXCR5int) among CD4+ T cells with the gating strategy as shown in Figure 1—figure supplement 1G. (x=2; 6 WT vs 6 cKO). P value was calculated by Mann-Whitney U test. (F, G) Mean (± SEM) absorbances of ELISA performed across the indicated dilutions of sera from the tamoxifen-treated mice (huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7b+/+ or huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f, i.e. Dhrs7b Δ B) of Figure 6. Shown are the results for (F) all- (NP20 captured) and (G) high- (NP2 captured) -affinity anti-NP Ab of the IgG1 and IgG2c isotypes, as indicated.

Figure 6 with 1 supplement
Download asset Open asset
Ab response and affinity increase promoted by PexRAP in B cells.

Tamoxifen-treated mice (huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7b+/+ or huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f, i.e. Dhrs7b Δ B; designated Dhrs7bΔ/Δ−B) were immunized as in Figure 5, with venous blood collected to measure Ag-specific Ab in the 10 response just prior to a second immunization, followed by harvesting a week thereafter (20 response). (A–D) Ag-specific Ab in primary response sera, prior to the boost. Shown are the all- (NP20) and high- (NP2) -affinity anti-NP IgM (A, B) and IgG1 (C, D), as indicated, with NP20 a high hapten density to detect both low- and high-affinity Ab and NP2 a low hapten density selective for high-affinity Ab. (E, F) Levels of anti-NP IgM detected using NP20 and NP2 for ELISpot (E) and ELISA (F) as described in Materials and Methods. Graphs show mean (± SEM) number of Ab-secreting cells in spleen (E) and (F) mean (± SEM) OD450nm in measurement of NP-specific IgM in serial dilutions of sera. p values were calculated by Student’ t-test. * indicates p<0.05, and ** indicates p<0.01. (G) PexRAP in B cells promotes Ab affinity maturation. The bar graph shows the mean (± SEM) ratios of high-affinity to all-affinity NP-specific IgM Ab in sera of individual mice (each dot representing one subject) using OD450nm values at the 1:2000 dilution, with data from three independent experiments comprising eight mice of each type (WT; Dhrs7b Δ B). p values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test. (H, I) PexRAP promotes CD138+ cell differentiation in vivo. B cells were adoptively transferred into µMT-recipient mice and analyzed at 4 days after transfer. Representative flow plot of CD138 and CD19 expression (H) and aggregated frequencies of CD138+ CD19+ cells in the viable cell gate (I) from four independent replicate experiments. To test for a potential distortion arising from outlier values, statistical testing was performed both with and without their inclusion. Additional data are in Figure 6—figure supplement 1 .

Figure 6—figure supplement 1
Download asset Open asset
PexRAP contributes to GC B cell proliferation, ROS homeostasis and B cell population growth.

(A, B) Proliferation and development of CD138+ progeny derived from B cells activated and cultured with anti-CD40, BAFF, IL-4, and IL-5. Shown are representative flow plots (A), and aggregated mean (± SEM) frequencies of CD138+ cells in viable lymphocytes from three independent experiments with 6 WT and 7 Dhrs7b Δ B mice at t=5 d. (C) PexRAP regulates proliferation of GC B cells. Tamoxifen-treated mice (huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7b+/+, i.e. ‘WT’, or huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f, i.e. Dhrs7b Δ B) were immunized with SRBC, and the mice were injected with BrdU as described in Materials and methods. Shown are a dot graph aggregating all experiments' outcomes for the frequencies of BrdU+ cells in GCB cells (x=2; n=6 WT and 6 cKO). (D) WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ B cells were activated and cultured for 3 days in anti-IgM, anti-CD40, BAFF, IL-4, IL-5, and 4-OHT. Shown are representative histogram images of H2DCFDA in the B cell gate (left panel), and aggregated mean (± SEM) geometric MFI of H2DCFDA (right panel) from two independent replicate experiments (n=4 WT and 4 cKO). p values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test. (E) PexRAP restrains lipid peroxidation. B cells were activated and cultured as in Figure 8E. Shown are the aggregated means (± SEM) of geometric MFI of C11-Bodipy from two independent replicate experiments (n=5 WT and 5 cKO). (F–H) NAC mitigated the impairment of population increase for PexRAP-deficient B cells, but failed to enhance cell division. B cells of the indicated genotypes were activated with combined BCR and CD40 cross-linking as in (D), cultured 5 days in the presence or absence of NAC (5 mM), counted and analyzed by flow cytometry. (F) The dot graph shows the mean (± SEM) recovered cell number from two independent experiments. p values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test. (G, H) Prior to activation, B cells of each genotype were stained with CellTrace Violet (CTV). (G) Shown are flow cytometry outputs of CTV fluorescence in the viable B cell gate for the indicated samples from one of the independent replicate pools. A measurement bar denotes the cut-off between 0–2 divisions and ≥3 divisions, with the inset numbers representing the percentage of cells that divided at least three times. (H) A dot graph displaying the individual as well as mean percentages of B cells that divided at least three times for samples of the indicated genotypes and treatment conditions. P values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test.

Figure 7
Download asset Open asset
Function of PexRAP in GC response.

(A) Schematic of the time line, with immunization followed later by tamoxifen injections into S1pr2-CreERT2 mice (Dhrs7b+/+or Dhrs7bf/f). Note that deletion is only initiated just as the germinal center reaction starts (~3.5 day post-immunization). Mice (S1pr2-CreERT2; Dhrs7b+/+ or S1pr2-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f) were immunized with NP-OVA, treated with tamoxifen on days 3, 5, and 7 after NP-OVA immunization (Brookens et al., 2024) and harvested at day 9. (B) Representative flow plots of GL7+CD95+GC B cells among viable IgDneg B cells and (C) aggregated mean (± SEM) frequencies of such GC B cells from three replicate experiments (7 WT; 9 cKO mice). Mann-Whitney U test was used to calculate p values. (D–F) Effect of PexRAP on the levels of ROS (D), cell death (E), and proliferation (F) of GC B cells. (D) Total cellular ROS in IgDneg CD38neg GL7+ GC B cells was determined by flow cytometry after staining with surface markers and H2DCFDA as described in the Methods. The graph shows the mean (± SEM) geometric MFI of H2DCFDA from two independent replicate experiments (n=6 WT and 6 cKO). (E) PexRAP promotes GC B cell survival. Shown are the representative flow plot (left), and a dot graph aggregating all experiments' outcomes for the frequencies of annexin V+ 7AAD+ cells in GC B gated cells as in Fig 7D (right panel). (F) PexRAP regulates proliferation of GC B cells. Tamoxifen-treated mice (huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7b+/+ or huCD20-CreERT2; Dhrs7bf/f, i.e. Dhrs7b Δ B; shown as Dhrs7bΔ/Δ−B) were immunized with SRBC, and the mice were injected with BrdU as described in Methods. Shown are representative histograms for WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ GC B cells as indicated (left panel) and a graph indicating the aggregated result of each independent experiment (right panel) (x=2; n=6 WT and 6 cKO).

Figure 8 with 1 supplement
Download asset Open asset
PexRAP contributes to ROS homeostasis and B cell population growth in vitro.

(A–D) PexRAP is critical for maintenance of normal ROS levels. Bead-purified B cells (Dhrs7bΔ/Δ and Dhrs7b+/+) from spleens of tamoxifen-treated huCD20-CreERT2 mice were cultured 3 days in anti-CD40, BAFF, IL-4, IL-5, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen. Total cellular (A, B) and mitochondrial ROS, mtROS (C, D) in B lymphoblasts were then determined by flow cytometry after staining with surface markers and H2DCFDA and MitoSOX, as described in the Methods. Representative histogram image of H2DCFDA (A) and MitoSOX (C) in the B cell gate, and aggregated mean (± SEM) geometric MFI of H2DCFDA (B) and MitoSOX (D) from three independent experiments, each using two mice of each type (6 WT; 6 cKO). p values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test. (E) PexRAP restrains lipid peroxidation. B cells were activated and cultured as in (A). A representative result of flow cytometric analyses of lipid peroxidation assayed using C11-Bodipy is shown, based on three independent experiments. (F, G) PexRAP promotes B cell survival. (F) Shown are the mean (± SEM) frequencies of total viable 'events' (by FSC, SSC, and 7-AAD exclusion) in flow cytometry (filled circles) and MFI of Bodipy-C11 (open squares) after exposure to H2O2 (200 µM). (*, ** - p=0.03 and 0.003, respectively). (G–I) WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ B cells were cultured (2 days) in anti-CD40, BAFF, IL-4, IL-5, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen. (G) Increased cleaved caspase 3 (CC3) in PexRAP-deficient cells generated in vitro. Cleaved caspase 3 in B cells was detected by intracellular staining and flow cytometry. Shown are a representative pair of histograms for WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ B cells as indicated (left panel) and a dot graph aggregating all experiments' outcomes (right panel). (H) Frequencies of apoptotic B cells in cultures as in (A–D) were scored for annexin V and 7AAD as described (Lee et al., 2013). Shown are representative data of flow plots in the lymphocyte gate (left panel) and a dot graph aggregating all experiments' outcomes (right panel). (I, J) PexRAP and ROS control promote B cell population growth in vitro. WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ B cells were cultured 5 days in anti-CD40, BAFF, IL-4, IL-5 and 4-hydroxytamoxifen in the presence or absence of ROS scavenger NAC (1 mM vs 5 mM) (H). (I) B cells activated as in (A–G) were cultured 5 days in the presence or absence of NAC (1 mM) or thioridazine (100 nM). The bar graphs show the mean (± SEM) recovered cell number from three independent experiments, each with two independent samples of each genotype (WT; Dhrs7bΔ/Δ). Complementary results of experiments including anti-IgM for BCR cross-linking are shown in Figure 2—figure supplement 1, Figure 6—figure supplement 1. Further related data are in Figure 8—figure supplement 1.

Figure 8—figure supplement 1
Download asset Open asset
Distinct outcomes of heightened ROS elicited by H2O2 versus menadione.

(A–B) Induction of ROS independent from B cell activation. Shown are representative flow plots of DCFDA in the viable B cell gate after exposure (1 h) (A) to H2O2 (200 μM) or (B) menadione (8 μM), as in Tao et al., 2020. (C–D) Representative flow plots of annexin V vs 7-AAD for identification of early-apoptotic B cells. Cultured B cells were analyzed 3 hr after treatment with (C) 200 μM H2O2 or (D) 8 μM menadione. Inset numbers represent the fraction of B cells that are Annexin V+ 7-AADneg or Annexin Vneg 7-AAD+. (E–G) Shown are the results of three independent experiments to measure (E) total cell viability, (F) BODIPY C11 MFI and (G) frequencies of Annexin V+ 7-AADneg frequency in B cells treated (8 μM) menadione overnight (E) or for 3 hr (D). P-values were calculated using the unpaired Student’s t-test.

Figure 9
Download asset Open asset
PexRAP deficiency in activated B cells reduces mitochondrial metabolism and ER mass.

(A–G) Purified B cells were activated with and cultured (2 d) in anti-CD40, BAFF, IL-4, IL-5, and 4-OHT, then analyzed using a Seahorse XFe96 after harvest and division into equal portions. (A) Shown are aggregated results from three independent experiments measuring oxygen consumption rate (OCR) quantified via metabolic flux analysis during mitochondrial stress testing. (B) Basal OCR, (C) maximal OCR, (D) ATP-production coupled respiration, (E) proton leak, and (F) spare respiratory capacity of WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ B cells assayed in (A). Data points of individual samples are shown (each individual dot), as well as bars to display mean (± SEM) values. T-tests with Welch’s correction were used to calculate p-values. *, p<0.05; ***, p<0.001. (G) Extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) of B cells cultured as described previously (Brookens et al., 2024) and assessed using the glycolytic stress test. (H, I) PexRAP influences ER mass. WT and Dhrs7bΔ/Δ B cells were cultured for 5 days in anti-CD40, BAFF, IL-4, IL-5, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen, followed by the staining with ER-Tracker Green. Representative histogram of ER-Tracker Green in viable cells (H) and aggregated MFI (± SEM) of ER-Tracker Green from three replicate experiments (I). Mann-Whitney U test was used to calculate p values.

Tables

Table 1
Immunization-induced increases of selected ether lipids in GC.

Shown are (a) a sample of m/z features characteristic of the indicated phospholipid species identified by the LIPIDMAPS database, and (b) the mean (± SEM) ion intensity / counts in IMS data generated from spleens of AID-GFP mice, immunized or not (UI), after mapping to the indicated regions of interest (primary follicles or GC, i.e. secondary follicles) using fluorescent images. Shown are ions more accumulated in GC regions compared to primary follicles: 8 ions from negative ion mode and 5 ions from positive ion mode, all p<0.05 for comparison of 10 follicle to UI (c), or GC to 10 follicle (d). p Values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test.

Negative ions
m/z a Lipid IDUI1° B cell follicleGC
716.5216 PE(18:0_16:1)618±22 b2400±83 c3674±154 d
752.5545 PE(O-18:0_20:4)301±141739±33 c1960±52 d
760.5056 PE(16:0_22:6)203±41816±30 c2031±23 d
772.5242 PE(P-18:1_22:6)234±52334±47 c2578 ± 63 d
776.5556 PE(O-18:0_22:6)277±91638±51 c2074±90 d
869.5526 PI(O-18:0_20:5)242±71611±24 c1789±15 d
872.576 PC(18:0_24:0)171±61167±16 c1369±18 d
888.5612 PS(22:1_22:6)506±132684±54 c3386±72 d
Positive ions
m/z a Lipid IDUI1° B cell follicleGC
739.4587 PG(12:0_20:3)3042±1023733±116 c4778±274 d
740.465 PC(16:0_15:1)1310±131478±66 c1933±142 d
784.5564 PC(10:0_24:0)2840±247956±147 c9856±270 d
798.5347 PC(10:0_25:0)9937±26927589±574 c34733±1,644 d
799.5375 PG(18:0_18:1)5665±6512078±282 c15311±790 d
Table 2
Impact of PexRAP on relative quantities of selected lipid species in primary and secondary follicles (GC).

As in Table 1 except B cells of immunized mice were either WT or lacked PexRAP (cKO, i.e., Dhrs7b Δ B). Shown are (a) a sample of m/z features characteristic of the indicated phospholipid species. (b) the mean ± SEM ion intensity counts in IMS data after mapping to the indicated regions of interest as in Table 1. (c-f) p<0.05 for the null hypothesis in considering a difference between spleens of immunized WT mice versus UI controls (c), 10 B cell follicles in spleens of immunized WT vs Dhrs7b Δ B mice (d), GC vs in 10 B cell follicles in spleens of immunized WT mice (e), and GC of immunized WT vs Dhrs7b Δ B mice (f) in the ion counts for designated m/z features. p values were calculated by Mann-Whitney U test.

Negative ions
m/z a Lipid IDUIWT folliclePexRap cKO follicleWT GCPexRap cKO GC
436.2801 LPE (O-16:1)315±4369±7374±11610±20 e475±19
716.5216 PE (18:0_16:1)754±43 b1608±182 c1263±1122729±247 e1770±137 f
746.5098 PE (O-16:1_22:6)622±19672±35609±231066±39 e836±39
752.5545 PE (O-18:0_20:4)459±49657±51 c548±46 d1191±61 e734±25 f
760.5056 PE (16:0_22:6)229±8386±25 c312±16 d569±27 e408±15 f
772.5242 PE (P-18:1_22:6)388±47617±46 c499±33 d918±21 e646±9 f
776.5556 PE (O-18:0_22:6)449±53661±50 c562±461130±49 e789±13 f
869.5526 PI (O-18:0_20:5)509±81641±50 c494±40 d1014±21 e690±12 f
872.576 PC (18:0_24:0)230±19285±12 c247±9 d522±17 e336±9 f
888.5612 PS (22:1_22:6)1423±2772051±199 c1904±1993260±156 e2629±80 f
Positive ions
m/z a Lipid IDUIWT folliclePexRap cKO follicleWT GCPexRap cKO GC
730.5767 PE (P-18:0_18:1)91±397±385±3130±7 e102±4
739.4587 PG (12:0_20:3)3042±1023094±402944±31 d3506±140 e3011±46 f
784.5564 PC (10:0_24:0)2840±242917±742617±46 d3522±102 e2561±42 f
798.5347 PC (10:0_25:0)9937±26910928 ± 214c11372±155 d15378±116 e14694±186 f
801.5509 PG (18:0_18:0)1540±371591±461633±261444±27 e1533±22 f
847.5361 PI (15:0_18:0)1277±241339±541217±351150±46 e1044±44
874.5623 PC (20:5_22:6)754±39688±48675±25469±27 e556±37
Key resources table
Reagent type (species) or resourceDesignationSource or referenceIdentifiersAdditional information
Genetic reagent (Mus musculus)C56/Bl6(B6) - Dhrs7bf/fSemenkovich (WUSTL);
PMID:25565205		noneconditional loss-of-function allele encoding PexRAP
Genetic reagent (Mus musculus)B6 - Rosa26-CreERT2Ludwig (Ohio State Univ.)
PMID:16314438		noneconditionally active recombinase
Genetic reagent (Mus musculus)B6 - huCD20-CreERT2Shlomchik (Yale Univ; now @ UPMC)
PMID:22555432		noneB-cell-specific conditionally active recombinase
Genetic reagent (Mus musculus)B6 - S1pr2-CreERT2Cyster (UCSF)
PMID:27158841		noneGCB (& GC-Tfh / neural)-expressed conditionally active recombinase
Peptide, recombinant proteinNP-ovalbuminBiosearch Tech - now Fina Bio (Thomas and Hulbert, 1996; De Silva and Klein, 2015; Cyster and Allen, 2019; Victora and Nussenzweig, 2022; Guttormsen et al., 1999)Catalog N5051-100
Peptide, recombinant proteinNP(~20)-BSABiosearch Tech - now Fina BioCatalog N5050H
Peptide, recombinant proteinNP2-PSABiosearch Tech - now Fina BioCatalog N5050L
Biological sample (Sheep)Defibrinated Sheep Red Blood Corpuscles (SRBC)Colorado Serum Co.Catalog # 31122must use fresh
(<2 weeks)
AntibodyAnti-mouse PexRAP Ab
(rabbit polyclonal)		ProteintechCatalog #15530–1-APWB (1:1000)
AntibodyAnti-β-actin Ab
(mouse monoclonal)		Santacruz BiotechCatalog # sc-517582WB (1:2000)
AntibodyAnti-mouse GL7-FITC
(rat monoclonal)		BD BiosciencesCatalog # 562080; RRID:AB_10894953FACS (1:250)
IHC (1:100)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
IgM-FITC
(rat monoclonal)		BD BiosciencesCatalog # 553437; RRID:AB_394857FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse GL7-PE
(rat monoclonal)		BD BiosciencesCatalog # 561530; RRID:AB_10715834FACS (1:250)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD5-FITC
(rat monoclonal)		BD BiosciencesCatalog # 553020; RRID:AB_394558FACS (1:250)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD86-PE
(rat monoclonal)		BD BiosciencesCatalog # 561963; RRID:AB_10896971FACS (1: 250)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
IgD-PE
(rat monoclonal)		eBioscienceCatalog #12-5993-83FACS (1:500)
IHC (1:200)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
PD1-PE
(rat monoclonal)		BD BiosciencesCatalog # 568260; RRID:AB_2916860FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD21-BV510
(rat monoclonal)		BioLegendCatalog # 123437; RRID:AB_2876441FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
TCRβ-PE-Cy5
(hamster monoclonal)		InvitrogenCatalog # 15-5961-82FACS (1:500)
Chemical compoundGhost Dye-Violet 450Tonbo BioscienceCatalog # 13–0868 T500FACS (1:500)
Chemical compoundGhost Dye-Violet 510Tonbo BioscienceCatalog # 13–0870 T100FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD11b-PerCP
(rat monoclonal)		Tonbo BioscienceCatalog # 65–0112 U025FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD11c-PerCP
(hamster monoclonal)		Tonbo BioscienceCatalog # 65–0114 U025FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
F4/80-PerCP
(rat monoclonal)		Tonbo BioscienceCatalog # 65–4801 U025FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
Gr1-PerCP
(rat monoclonal)		Tonbo BioscienceCatalog # 67–5931 U025FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD19-APC
(rat monoclonal)		Tonbo BioscienceCatalog # 20–0193 U025FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD19-PE-Cy7
(rat monoclonal)		Tonbo BioscienceCatalog # 60–0193 U025FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
B220-APC-Cy7
(rat monoclonal)		Tonbo BioscienceCatalog # 25–0452 U025FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD43-APC
(rat monoclonal)		BD BiosciencesCatalog # 560663; RRID:AB_1727479FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CXCR4-APC
(rat monoclonal)		BD BiosciencesCatalog # 558644; RID:AB_1645219FACS (1:250)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD38-eFluor 450
(rat monoclonal)		eBioscienceCatalog # 48-0388-42FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD95-Biotin
(hamster monoclonal)		BD BioscienceCatalog # 554256; RRID:AB_395328FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD35-Biotin
(rat monoclonal)		BD BioscienceCatalog # 553816; RRID:AB_395068IHC (1:200)
AntibodyAnti-mouse
CD138-PE
(rat monoclonal)		BD BioscienceCatalog # 561070; RRID:AB_2033998FACS (1:500)
AntibodyAnti-mouse cleaved (active) caspase 3-FITC
(rabbit monoclonal)		BD BioscienceCatalog # 559341; RRID:AB_39723410 µL/sample
Commercial Assay, KitBrdU-APCBD BioscienceCatalog # 552598; RRID:AB_2861367Cell proliferation kit
Commercial Assay, KitBodipy 581/591 C11InvitrogenCatalog # 552598Lipid peroxidation kit
Peptide, recombinant proteinStreptavidin-APCBD BioscienceCatalog # 554067; RRID:AB_10050396FACS (1:1000)
IF (1:200)
Peptide, recombinant proteinStreptavidin-PE-Cy7BD BioscienceCatalog # 557598FACS (1:1000)
Peptide, recombinant proteinStreptavidin-APC-Cy7BD BioscienceCatalog # 554063; RRID:AB_10054651FACS (1:1000)
Peptide, recombinant proteinAnnexin V-PEBD BioscienceCatalog # 560930FACS (1:100)
Chemical compound7-AADBD BioscienceCatalog # 559925; RRID:AB_2869266Flow cytometry
Chemical compoundCellTrace VioletInvitrogenCatalog # C34557Flow cytometry
Chemical compoundH2DCFDAInvitrogenCatalog # D399Flow cytometry
Chemical compoundMitoSOXInvitrogenCatalog # M36008Flow cytometry
Chemical compoundER-Tracker RedInvitrogenCatalog # E34250Flow cytometry
Chemical compoundN-acetyl L-cysteineSigma AldrichCatalog # 616-91-1Cell culture
Chemical compoundThioridazine HydrochlorideSigma AldrichCatalog # 130-61-0Cell culture
Chemical compoundMenadioneSigma AldrichCatalog # 158-27-5Cell culture
Commercial Assay, KitSeahorse XF Glycolysis stress testAgilentCatalog # 103020–100Metabolic flux analysis kit
Commercial Assay, KitSeahorse XF Mito stress testAgilentCatalog # 103016–100Metabolic flux analysis kit
SoftwareFlowJoTreeStar ->BD BiosciencesFlow cytometry data analysis

Additional files

MDAR checklist
https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/104580/elife-104580-mdarchecklist1-v1.docx
Source data 1

Tabulations of root data used to prepare graphs for figure panels, or images (e.g., of immunoblots) for that purpose.

https://cdn.elifesciences.org/articles/104580/elife-104580-data1-v1.zip

Download links

A two-part list of links to download the article, or parts of the article, in various formats.

Downloads (link to download the article as PDF)

Open citations (links to open the citations from this article in various online reference manager services)

Cite this article (links to download the citations from this article in formats compatible with various reference manager tools)

  1. Sung Hoon Cho
  2. Marissa A Jones
  3. Kaylor Meyer
  4. David M Anderson
  5. Sergiy Chetyrkin
  6. M Wade Calcutt
  7. Richard M Caprioli
  8. Clay F Semenkovich
  9. Mark R Boothby
(2026)
B cell expression of an enzymatic intermediary in ether lipid biosynthesis promotes antibody responses and germinal center size
eLife 14:RP104580.
https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.104580.3