Compromised counterselection by FAS creates an aggressive subtype of germinal center lymphoma

Raud Razzaghi, Shreya Agarwal, Nikita Kotlov, Olga Plotnikova, Krystle Nomie, Da Wei Huang, George W. Wright, Grace A. Smith, Moyi Li, Katsuyoshi Takata, Maryam Yamadi, Chen Yao, John J. O’shea, James D. Phelan, Stefania Pittaluga, David W. Scott, Jagan R. Muppidi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fas is highly expressed on germinal center (GC) B cells, and mutations of FAS have been reported in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Although GC-derived DLBCL has better overall outcomes than other DLBCL types, some cases are refractory, and the molecular basis for this is often unknown. We show that Fas is a strong cell-intrinsic regulator of GC B cells that promotes cell death in the light zone, likely via T follicular helper (Tfh) cell–derived Fas ligand. In the absence of Fas, GCs were more clonally diverse due to an accumulation of cells that did not demonstrably bind antigen. FAS alterations occurred most commonly in GC-derived DLBCL, were associated with inferior outcomes and an enrichment of Tfh cells, and co-occurred with deficiency in HVEM and PD-L1 that regulate the Tfh–B cell interaction. This work shows that Fas is critically required for GC homeostasis and suggests that loss of Tfh-mediated counterselection in the GC contributes to lethality in GC-derived lymphoma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere20201173
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume218
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2021
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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