Remodeling of B-Cell Subsets in Blood during Pegylated IFNα-2a Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

The ultimate goal of pegylated interferon-alfa-2a (Peg-IFN-α) therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is HBsAg seroconversion. Even though B cells are major mediators of a positive clinical outcome, their modulation during Peg-IFN-α therapy has not yet been described. We investigated here the effects of Peg-IFN-α on eight circulating B-cell subsets thanks to an original multi-gating approach based on CD19, CD27, IgD, CD10, and CD38 markers in patients with CHB treated with nucleos(t)ide analog alone or in combination with Peg-IFN-α. These dynamic changes were analyzed during the 48-weeks of Peg-IFN-α therapy and up to 2 years after the cessation of treatment. The CD19+CD27-IgD+CD10+CD38high transitional B cells and the CD19+CD27+IgD-CD10-CD38high plasmablasts continuously increased, whereas the CD19+CD27-IgD+CD10-CD38low naive, CD19+CD27+IgD+ natural memory, and CD19+CD27+IgD-CD10-CD38low post-germinal center B cells decreased during the course of Peg-IFNα treatment. Such modulations correlated with a sustained increase in sCD30 levels and the decrease in plasma HBsAg. However, no seroconversion occurred and all parameters returned to baseline after the stop of the treatment. Peg-IFN-α therapy mediates a remodeling of B-cell compartmentalization, without clinical relevance. Our study provides new insights into the immunomodulatory effects of Peg-IFN-α on circulating B-cells, and questioned the benefit of the add-on Peg-IFN-α treatment in CHB.


Introduction
In its pegylated form, interferon-alpha-2a (Peg-IFN-α) was used in the treatment of chronic HBV, because it possesses strong antiviral and immunomodulatory properties stimulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Recently, Peg-IFN-α has been considered as a therapeutic alternative to the prolonged use of nucleos(t)ide analogs (NA) in chronic HBV (CHB) infection [1][2][3], due to its potential to trigger a sustained virological response off-treatment and HBsAg seroconversion [4]. In this context, B-cell responses appear to be critical in the control of infection. Although recent clinical trials described the impact of Peg-IFN-α on the major anti-viral immune effectors such as T cells and NK cells [5][6][7][8], nothing is known regarding the modulation of B cells in CHB patients treated with Peg-IFN-α.
In the context of HBV, B-cell responses are a T-cell-dependent process and lead to an efficient antibody production in patients who manage to clear the virus. The anti-HBV antibodies exert viral clearance through the formation of complexes with free viral particles removing them from circulation or preventing their attachment and uptake by hepatocytes [9]. HBVspecific antibodies are indicators of specific stages of the disease. Whereas HBsAg-specific antibodies are neutralizing and mediate protective immunity, HBcAg-specific and HBeAg-specific antibodies persist for life after clinical recovery [10]. These specific antibodies are usually undetectable in patients with CHB infection. In addition to their essential role in humoral immunity, B cells are also involved in capturing and concentrating antigens for presentation, in producing immunomodulatory cytokines, in influencing T-cell and DC responses, and in initiating subsequent T-cell immune responses. They contribute towards distinct functions during the immune response in vivo, and affect lymphoid tissue structures [11,12].
Current schemes of classification of human B-cell populations found in the secondary lymphoid tissue and in peripheral blood are based on the expression of six major surface markers: CD10, CD19, IgD, IgM, CD38, and CD27 that provide the identification of different stages of mature B-cell development and on the description of the B-cell subsets: transitional B cells, naive B cells, natural effector memory B cells, pre-germinal center (GC) B cells, GC B cells, memory B cells, and plasmablasts [13,14].
We designed a unique and original strategy of classification based on these markers to investigate for the first time the impact of Peg-IFNα therapy on eight peripheral B-cell subsets, on B cell-modulating soluble factors, such as BAFF/APRIL, sCD26, and sCD30, and on the levels of IgG and IgM immunoglobulins in patients with CHB. We compared HBeAg-negative patients treated with NA alone and patients receiving NA in combination with a 48-week course of Peg-IFN-α, before treatment, at different time points during the course of Peg-IFN-α therapy, and up to 2 years (week (W)144) after the end of the treatment. Our results revealed a major impact of Peg-IFN-α therapy on peripheral B-cell subsets and a complete remodelling of the Bcell compartment. This study provides new insight into the immunomodulatory effect of Peg-IFN-α, but also reveals the absence of prognostic relevance, which questioned the benefit of the add-on Peg-IFN-α treatment over the NA or Peg-IFN-α monotherapies.

Patients
The study participants comprised 23 HBsAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients with CHB treated by analogs who had undetectable HBV-DNA for at least one year and were enrolled in a multicenter, randomized, phase 3 study of Peg-IFN-α (ANRS HB06 PEGAN, registered as NCT01172392). Fourteen patients remained on nucleos(t)ide analogs alone (control group) whereas nine received an additional 180 μg Peg-IFN-α (Pegasys; F Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland) once a week for 48 weeks (IFN group). All participants signed informed consent forms. The study protocol was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and French law for biomedical research. It was approved by the Ethics Committee CPP Sud Méditerranée I and the French Regulatory Authority (ANSM). The main features of the patients are shown in Table 1. Heparinized peripheral blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 4 (Peg-IFNα only), 12, 24, 48, 96, and 144 weeks of treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were purified by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation (Eurobio) and the total lymphocyte concentration was determined. Plasma samples were collected before and at each time point of treatment and stored frozen at -80°C.

Phenotypic analysis
To analyze the B-cell subsets, PBMCs were stained with fluorochrome-labelled anti-human CD10-APC, CD19-APC-Cy7, CD27-PC7, CD38-PercCP-Cy5.5, IgD-FITC, and IgM-PE (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA, USA). Antibody-stained cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using FACSCANTOII and Diva software (BD Biosciences). The gating strategy is outlined in Fig 1A. The absolute numbers of subsets were obtained by multiplying their percentage by the total lymphocyte number.

Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney non-parametric U-test, Wilcoxon matched pairs test, and Spearman correlation using Prism software.

Modulation of B-cell compartment by Peg-IFN-α
We investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Peg-IFN-α on B cells by first analyzing the frequencies and absolute numbers of total B cells before treatment and at different time points during treatment ( Fig 1A). Patients were compared according to their treatment arm (Table 1). In response to Peg-IFN-α, we observed a progressive decrease in the frequencies and absolute numbers ( Fig 1B) of total B cells (CD19+), which troughed at W24 compared to baseline level, going from 7.3% to 4.4% and from 55.7x10 3 /ml to 29.7x10 3 /ml respectively. These parameters were restored at the end of Peg-IFN-α treatment.
in response to Peg-IFN-α (Fig 3A and 3C, S2C Fig) starting as early as 4 weeks after the beginning of the treatment for the natural memory population. In contrast, we observed a significant increase in the frequency of the CD19 + CD27 -IgDmemory B cells and plasmablasts (CD19 + CD27 + IgD -CD10 -CD38 high ) as early as W4 post treatment (Fig 3B, 3C and 3D, S2D  Fig). These parameters were restored at the end of Peg-IFN-α treatment, except for post-GC memory B cells, whose levels were still significantly lower compared to their baseline levels more than 2 years after the cessation of Peg-IFNα therapy. Thus, Peg-IFN-α therapy mediates a complete remodeling of the B-cell compartmentalization that results in a sustained and prolonged decrease in circulating post-GC memory B cells.
We did not observe any significant changes in the global total IgG and IgM levels in the plasma of patients before or during Peg-IFN-α treatment (S3 Fig). Moreover, none of the patients developed anti-HBs antibodies during Peg-IFN-α therapy or up to 2 years after the cessation of treatment (Table 1)

Upregulation of sCD30 following Peg-IFN-α therapy
Because B-cell immunobiology could be modulated by BAFF, APRIL (which derived from DCs, monocytes or T cells), sCD26 and sCD30 (T-cell-derived factors), we investigated how IFN-α therapy changed their levels in the plasma of treated patients. In response to treatment, no significant changes in levels of BAFF, APRIL, or sCD26 were observed (Fig 4A and 4B). In contrast, a significant continuous increase in sCD30 levels was observed starting from W12 of Peg-IFN-α treatment initiation and peaking at W48 (from 21.99 pg/ml at W0 to 43.68 pg/ml at W48) ( Fig  4B). Strikingly, even though the levels of sCD30 decreased afterwards, this modulation was still significant long (W96) after the cessation of Peg-IFN-α therapy. Interestingly, when assessing the link between sCD30 level and proportion of B-cell subsets, the sCD30 level was positively correlated with the proportion of CD27 -IgD -B cells, and negatively correlated with the proportion of natural memory B cells (Fig 5). Thus, Peg-IFN-α drastically affected the B-cell-modulating factor sCD30, which in turn could affect the repartition and activation of B-cell subsets.

Correlation between B-cell subsets and clinical features during Peg-IFNα therapy
One of the major signatures of clinical response to Peg-IFN-α therapy is the decrease in plasma HBsAg level. In contrast to the control group whose HBsAg level stayed stable throughout the study duration, this parameter significantly decreased in the group of patients receiving the additional Peg-IFN-α therapy at W48 compared to baseline, even though without reaching clearance (Fig 6A). To determine whether there is a link between changes in B-cell subset proportions and HBsAg decline, we examined correlations between these immunological and clinical parameters. Strikingly, we found a tendency for positive correlation between the elevated proportion of plasmablasts observed at W12 post-treatment and the decline in HBsAg level from baseline to W48 (Fig 6B). No other correlations between the viral parameters and the other immunologic modulations could be noticed. Two patients (#19 and #21) displayed a decline in HBsAg of more than 2 Log between baseline and W48 (Fig 6A). These patients were amongst the ones with the lowest absolute number of naive B cells, natural memory B cells, and post-GC memory B cells at W24 and W48, and the highest proportion of CD27-IgDmemory B cells at W12 or W24, suggesting a relationship between the immunologic changes observed and decline in HBsAg. The relation between changes in HBsAg and immunologic parameters are lightened up on Fig 6C. Thus, the observed changes in B-cell subsets induced by Peg-IFN-α therapy might converge towards a decline in HBsAg level.

Discussion
Despite the critical role of B-cell responses in the control of CHB infection, the effects of Peg-IFN-α therapy on B cells have not yet been studied. Our study reveals for the first time that Bcell subsets are completely remodelled during Peg-IFN-α therapy combined with NA in patients with CHB infection, whose clinical outcomes are known to be different. It also outlines the absence of prognostic relevance of these immune modulations, as no seroconversion occurred in our cohort of patients. Limited data are available regarding B-cell dysfunctions in patients with CHB and the impact of available therapeutic strategies on the B-cell compartment. In a previous report, a Bcell activation profile with an enhanced differentiation capacity into immunoglobulin-producing cells was observed in the context of HBV infection [15]. The lack of appropriate seroconversion paralleling the evolution towards chronicity nevertheless demonstrates a dramatic impairment in B-cell responses. Interestingly, disorders in B-cell subset phenotype and function have been described in other chronic viral infections such as in HIV-1 [16,17] and HCV [15,18,19]. The mechanisms leading to these dysfunctions as well as the impact of the current therapies on the B-cell population have not been elucidated in chronic viral infection. In this study, we reveal that Peg-IFN-α over NA treatment may reverse the dysfunctions of B cells induced by HBV.
We observed a progressive decrease in peripheral B-cell count following Peg-IFN-α treatment, which fits with the drastic reduction in circulating T lymphocytes reported during the course of Peg-IFN-α therapy [5]. We also found major changes in the repartition of B-cell subsets, suggesting that Peg-IFN-α has a potent effect on B-cell responses. Indeed, the transitional B cells and plasmablasts continuously increased during Peg-IFN-α therapy. Interestingly, transitional B cells bridge primary B-cell development in bone marrow and B-cell maturation in lymphoid organs. Their increase in the periphery may reflect a higher rate of B-cell generation and differentiation towards plasmablasts or CD27memory B cells, and an elevation of immunoglobulin-secreting B cells that may ultimately favor HBsAg seroconversion. Noteworthy, such modulation tends to correlate with the decrease in plasma HBsAg, directly linking B-cell modulation with virological parameters. As plasmablasts are precursors of plasma cells, it might means that Peg-IFN-α therapy may favor the development of anti-HBV immunity, leading to anti-HBs seroconversion and elimination of HBsAg. Yet none of the studied patients achieved seroconversion in our study. The two patients with the highest HBsAg rate decrease didn't seroconvert but their HBsAg rate increase back to the baseline level after the stop of Peg-IFN-α treatment. This questions whether the duration of Peg-IFN-α therapy is optimal or not to favour seroconversion. The mechanisms developed by HBV to escape immunity may directly or indirectly prevent the successful differentiation and maturation of B-cell plasmablasts triggered by Peg-IFN-α, impairing the elimination of infection. Indeed, it is known that HBV inhibits TLR9-mediated pathways [20], which may be required to successfully drive specific B-cell responses [21]. It has been reported that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, who are characterized by elevated type-I IFN levels, have a higher representation of peripheral transitional B cells [22], together with higher numbers of plasmablasts [23] and an expanded population of CD27 -IgDmemory B-cell subset [24]. The CD27 -IgDmemory B cells represent an intermediate step in the differentiation into plasma cells. All these features were also found in our study of patients with CHB during the course of Peg-IFN-α therapy, which supports the major role of type-I IFN in modulating B-cell subsets. In addition to its direct contribution to B-cell differentiation and antibody production [25], type-I IFN may be critical for the long-lasting sequestration of B cells within the follicles [26], which may subsequently favor antigen delivery to DCs and interactions between T and B cells of same specificity [27]. IFN-α also modulates many cell subsets, such as DCs and NK cells, that in turn may affect B cells [28,29]. These multiple effects of type-I IFN may together modulate B-cell repartition and function through different cellular pathways. The modulations observed in peripheral Bcell distribution could also result from an altered homing of specific subsets or a re-compartmentalization of the B-cell subtypes. In light of our data, it would be interesting to further study the global B-cell subset distribution, also hardly evident in humans.
Interestingly, we found a sustained increase in sCD30 levels triggered by Peg-IFN-α, which correlated with the changes in B-cell subsets. The CD30/CD30L pathway plays a major role in immunological processes, especially in the regulation of humoral immune responses [30]. High serum levels of sCD30 have been reported to correlate with disease activity in several autoimmune diseases, which are driven by type-I IFN [30]. High levels of sCD30 are also found during acute HBV infection, where it participates in the development of immunity [31] as well as during the active phase of chronic hepatitis [32]. Because sCD30 is released by activated T cells, and B cells can be activated by T-helper cells [15], our observations suggest that Peg-IFN-α may trigger a T-cell-dependent B-cell remodeling. This hypothesis is sustained by the observation that patients receiving Peg-IFN-α therapy had enhanced HBV-specific T-cell responses [33,34] (and personal data on the same cohort of patients, not shown). Strikingly, we found a correlation between sCD30 level and the proportion of CD27 -IgDmemory B cells. This suggests that the modulation of T cells by Peg-IFN-α potentially triggers the release of sCD30, which subsequently may affect B-cell subsets. In addition, T-follicular helper cells secrete cytokines that will favour B-cell proliferation and differentiation within the germinal centers, and will sustain GC reactions, which will trigger the emergence of antibody-secreting plasma cells and memory B cells [35].
Despite the observed immunologic modulations, none of the patients achieved HBsAg seroconversion following Peg-IFN-α therapy. However, our study highlighted a trend towards a positive relationship between increased proportions and numbers of plasmablasts and decreased plasma HBsAg loads in some patients. Even though the changes in the B-cell compartment did not persist after ending treatment, our observations suggest that the immunologic changes triggered by Peg-IFN-α therapy can positively affect viral parameters. Overall, Peg-IFN-α may trigger modulations of the B-cell compartment either directly by influencing B-cell differentiation and antibody production [25] or indirectly by activating other immune cells such as dendritic cells and T cells that can subsequently modulate B-cell differentiation and function [36].
Our pilot study revealed that the potent immunomodulatory properties of Peg-IFN-α mediates a complete remodeling of B-cell compartmentalization and provides new insights into the immunomodulatory effects of Peg-IFN-α on B cells. However, as shown for other parameters [5,37,38], all the immune changes returned to baseline after the cessation of Peg-IFN-α treatment. The observed immune alterations being not prognostically relevant, our work also questioned the benefit of the add-on Peg-IFN-α treatment over the NA or Peg-IFN-α monotherapies.