title: Divide and conquer: division of labor by B-1 B cells.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA.
authors.forename: Kishore R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Alugupalli
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Gerstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D016667:Bacterial Capsules / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014774:Virulence