Induction and regulation of Trypanosoma brucei VSG-specific antibody responses.
The review addresses how infection with Trypanosoma brucei affects the development, survival and functions of B lymphocytes in mice. It discusses (1) the contributions of antibodies to trypanosome clearance from the bloodstream, (2) how B lymphocytes, the precursors of antibody producing plasma cells, interact with membrane form variable surface glycoprotein (VSG), i.e. with monovalent antigen that is free to diffuse within the lipid bilayer of the trypanosome plasma membrane and consequently can cross-link B cell antigen specific receptors by indirect processes only and (3) the extent and underlying causes of dysregulation of humoral immune responses in infected mice, focusing on the impact of wild type and GPI-PLC⁻/⁻ trypanosomes on bone marrow and extramedullary B lymphopoiesis, B cell maturation and survival.
Black
S J
SJ
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA. sblack@vasci.umass.edu
Guirnalda
P
P
Frenkel
D
D
Haynes
C
C
Bockstal
V
V
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D038041:Lymphopoiesis; D051379:Mice; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000276:immunology*; D014643:Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D014643:Variant Surface Glycoproteins, Trypanosoma