B cells have distinct roles in host protection against different nematode parasites.
B cells can mediate protective responses against nematode parasites by supporting Th2 cell development and/or by producing Abs. To examine this, B cell-deficient mice were inoculated with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis or Heligmosomoides polygyrus. B cell-deficient and wild type mice showed similar elevations in Th2 cytokines and worm expulsion after N. brasiliensis inoculation. Worm expulsion was inhibited in H. polygyrus-inoculated B cell-deficient mice, although Th2 cytokine elevations in mucosal tissues were unaffected. Impaired larval migration and development was compromised as early as day 4 after H. polygyrus challenge, and administration of immune serum restored protective immunity in B cell-deficient mice, indicating a primary role for Ab. Immune serum even mediated protective effects when administered to naive mice prior to inoculation. This study suggests variability in the importance of B cells in mediating protection against intestinal nematode parasites, and it indicates an important role for Ab in resistance to tissue-dwelling parasites.
Liu
Qian
Q
Department of Medicine, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07101, USA.
Kreider
Timothy
T
Bowdridge
Scott
S
Liu
Zhugong
Z
Song
Youngmia
Y
Gaydo
Andrew G
AG
Urban
Joseph F
JF
Gause
William C
WC
D000818:Animals; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009351:Nematospiroides dubius / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D009559:Nippostrongylus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology