Reconstitution of B-cell-depleted mice with B cells restores Th2-type immune responses during Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi infection.
In mice depleted of B cells from birth by treatment with anti-immunoglobulin M(mu) antibodies, progression from a Th1- to a Th2-regulated immune response during primary infection with Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi fails to occur. While Th1-type immunity limits parasitemia, in the absence of B cells, chronic low-grade infections persist. Here, we show that reconstituting immune, and to a lesser extent naive, B cells to mice rendered deficient in B-cell function through anti-immunoglobulin M(mu) pretreatment restores the CD4+ T-cell response to the Th2 type later in P. c. chabaudi infection and with it the capacity to eliminate infection. This finding provides clear evidence that B cells are required for switching the balance of immune regulation between CD4+ T cells from Th1 to Th2 during P.c. chabaudi infection and supports the concept that B cells, through antibody production, are needed for effective antimalarial immunity.
Taylor-Robinson
A W
AW
Wellcome Laboratories for Experimental Parasitology, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Phillips
R S
RS
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007109:Immunity; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000097:blood; D007148:Immunoglobulin mu-Chains / Q000276:immunology; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008288:Malaria / Q000662:veterinary*; D051379:Mice; D016788:Plasmodium chabaudi / Q000276:immunology*; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D007148:Immunoglobulin mu-Chains; D007378:Interleukins; D007371:Interferon-gamma