Divide and conquer: division of labor by B-1 B cells.
Capsular polysaccharides enhance bacterial virulence. In this issue of Immunity, demonstrate a division of labor between the B-1 B cell subsets: natural antibodies from B-1a cells limit infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae, whereas B-1b cells generate the anticapsule-induced response that prevents fatal infection.
Alugupalli
Kishore R
KR
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA.
Gerstein
Rachel M
RM
D000818:Animals; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014774:Virulence