Abstract
Recent studies on HIV infection have identified new human B-cell subsets with a potentially important impact on anti-viral immunity. Current work highlights the occurrence of similar B-cell alterations in other viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, suggesting that common strategies have been developed by pathogens to counteract protective immunity. For this review, we have selected key examples of human infections for which B-cell alterations have been described, to highlight the similarities and differences in the immune responses to a variety of pathogens. We believe that further comparisons between these models will lead to critical progress in the understanding of B-cell mechanisms and will open new target avenues for therapeutic interventions.
Highlights
To maintain the integrity of an organism constantly challenged by pathogens, the immune system is endowed with a variety of cell types
Elevated plasma BAFF (B-cell activating factor belonging to tumor necrosis factor family) levels, reduced BAFF-R expression on blood B-cells, and increased numbers of circulating CD10+ B-cells were independently reported during controlled human malaria infection and in acutely infected children [36,39,40]
Atypical memory B-cells (MemB) observed during the acute phase of controlled human malaria infection are Fc receptor-like-4 (FcRL4)− [40], suggesting that FcRL4 expression might be a consequence of repeated exposure to pathogen-associated Ags
Summary
To maintain the integrity of an organism constantly challenged by pathogens, the immune system is endowed with a variety of cell types. B-cells in human Plasmodium infection Recent studies comparing various cohorts of individuals exposed to Plasmodium parasites, the causal agents of malaria, have revealed important changes in blood B-cell composition, in addition to T-cell hypo-responsiveness, short-lived protection by specific Abs, polyclonal B-cell activation, and an increase in total IgG during acute infection [35]. Elevated plasma BAFF (B-cell activating factor belonging to tumor necrosis factor family) levels, reduced BAFF-R expression on blood B-cells, and increased numbers of circulating CD10+ B-cells were independently reported during controlled human malaria infection and in acutely infected children [36,39,40].
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