IFN-I promotes T cell-independent immunity and RBC autoantibodies via modulation of B-1 cell subsets in murine SCD

• IFN-I alters B-1 cell subsets in SCD.

• IFN-I enhances T cell-independent immune responses and the production of RBC autoantibodies in SCD.

The pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by hemolytic anemia and vaso-occlusion, although its impact on the adaptive immune responses remains incompletely understood. To comprehensibly profile the humoral immune responses, we immunized SCD mice with T cell-independent (TI) and T cell-dependent (TD) antigens. Our study showed that SCD mice have significantly enhanced type 2 TI (TI-2) immune responses in a manner dependent on the level of type I IFN (IFN-I), while maintaining similar or decreased TD immune responses depending on the route of antigen administration. Consistent with the enhanced TI-2 immune responses in SCD mice, the frequencies of B-1b cells (B-1 cells in humans), a major cell type responding to TI-2 antigens, were significantly increased in both the peritoneal cavity and spleens of SCD mice and in blood of patients with SCD. In support of expanded B-1 cells, elevated levels of anti-red blood cell (RBC) autoantibodies were detected in both SCD mice and patients. Both the levels of TI-2 immune responses and anti-RBC autoantibodies were significantly reduced following IFNAR antibody blockades and in IFNAR-1 deficient SCD mice. Moreover, the alteration of B-1 cell subsets were reversed in IFNAR-1 deficient SCD mice, uncovering a critical role for IFN-I in the enhanced TI-2 immune responses and the increased production of anti-RBC autoantibodies by modulating the innate B-1 cell subsets in SCD. Overall, our study provides experimental evidence that the modulation of B-1 cells and IFN-I can regulate TI immune responses and the levels of anti-RBC autoantibodies in SCD.