T-independent IgA responses to microbial polysaccharides.
There is accumulating evidence indicating the presence in vivo of T-independent routes of IgA response in addition to the conventional T-dependent IgA response. Factors influencing these alternative pathways of IgA responses may include the structural characteristics of a stimulating antigen, the nature of responding B cells, and the microenvironment. The structural complexity of polysaccharide antigens has made it difficult to summarize a general scheme for the antibody responses they induce. Instead, one may expect that each individual polysaccharide may be able to create a unique microenvironment by activation of specific cell populations in the repertoires of non-T cell types. A specific pattern of B cell response may thus be elicited by TI stimulation. Recognition of such a unique property of a TI antigens is necessary for us to better understand the T-independent IgA response. Information obtained may have an impact on the development of vaccination strategies directed at the mucosal immunity mediated by IgA antibodies.
Wang
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Immunology Laboratory, Columbia Genome Center, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry; D000955:Antigens, T-Independent / Q000737:chemistry; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000955:Antigens, T-Independent; D016207:Cytokines; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial