title: In vitro effects of adjuvants on B cells.
abstract: Stimulation of B cells not only through the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) but also through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can drive activation, proliferation, and differentiation of B cells to result in antigen-specific antibody secretion. In addition, B cells are co-stimulated by specific antigen and the presence of a TLR ligand such as for TLR9, which selectively enhances the development of antigen-specific antibodies and endows B cells with strong antigen-presenting capabilities to T cells. These effects promote antigen-specific immune responses and account for the strong adjuvant effect of TLR9 ligands. Several studies have described the activation of human or murine B cells by TLR ligands or other adjuvants. However, there are no reports summarizing the various different effects adjuvants can have on B cells, nor how to best measure these effects. Here, we will try to give an overview on the TLR expression pattern of human, primate, and murine B cells, their stimulation by TLR ligands or other adjuvants, and the outcome such as B cell proliferation and cytokine production.
authors.affiliation: Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, A Pfizer Company, Düsseldorf, Germany. jvollmer@coleypharma.com
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vollmer
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bellert
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors