Publications
bioRxivJul 2023 DOI:
10.1101/2023.07.23.550231

Mechanotransduction governs CD40 function and underlies X-linked Hyper IgM syndrome

Choi, Hyun-Kyu; Travaglino, Stefano; Münchhalfen, Matthias; Görg, Richard; Zhong, Zhe; Lyu, Jintian; Reyes-Aguilar, David M.; Wienands, Jürgen; Singh, Ankur; Zhu, Cheng
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Abstract
B cell maturation in germinal centers (GCs) depends on cognate interactions between the T and B cells. Upon interaction with CD40 ligand (CD40L) on T cells, CD40 delivers co-stimulatory signals alongside B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling to regulate affinity maturation and antibody class-switch during GC reaction. Mutations in CD40L disrupt interactions with CD40, which lead to abnormal antibody responses in immune deficiencies known as X-linked Hyper IgM syndrome (X-HIgM). Assuming that physical interactions between highly mobile T and B cells generate mechanical forces on CD40-CD40L bonds, we set out to study the B cell mechanobiology mediated by CD40-CD40L interaction. Using a suite of biophysical assays we find that CD40 forms catch bond with CD40L where the bond lasts longer at larger forces, B cells exert tension on CD40-CD40L bonds, and force enhances CD40 signaling and antibody class-switch. Significantly, X-HIgM CD40L mutations impair catch bond formation, suppress endogenous tension, and reduce force-enhanced CD40 signaling, leading to deficiencies in antibody class switch. Our findings highlight the critical role of mechanotransduction in CD40 function and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying X-HIgM syndrome.
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