The Coinhibitory Receptor CTLA-4 Controls B Cell Responses by Modulating T Follicular Helper, T Follicular Regulatory, and T Regulatory Cells

The receptor CTLA-4 has been implicated in controlling B cell responses, but the mechanisms by which CTLA-4 regulates antibody production are not known. Here we showed deletion of CTLA-4 in adult mice increased Tfh and Tfr cell numbers and augmented B cell responses. In the effector phase, loss of CTLA-4 on Tfh cells resulted in heightened B cell responses, whereas loss of CTLA-4 on Tfr cells resulted in defective suppression of antigen-specific antibody responses. We also found that non-Tfr Treg cells could suppress B cell responses through CTLA-4 and that Treg and/or Tfr cells might downregulate B7-2 on B cells outside germinal centers as a means of suppression. Within the germinal center, however, Tfr cells potently suppress B cells through CTLA-4, but with a mechanism independent of altering B7-1 or B7-2. Thus, we identify multifaceted regulatory roles for CTLA-4 in Tfh, Tfr, and Treg cells, which together control humoral immunity. [Display omitted] •CTLA-4 inhibits Tfh and Tfr cell differentiation and/or maintenance•Treg and/or Tfr cells suppress extrafollicular B cell B7-2 expression•CTLA-4 inhibits Tfh stimulation of B cell responses•Tfr cells suppress GC B cells through CTLA-4, but not by altering B7-2 levels The role of the inhibitory receptor CTLA-4 in controlling B cell responses is still unclear. Sharpe and colleagues show that CTLA-4 controls B cell responses by regulating Tfh, Tfr, and Treg cell differentiation and effector function.