title: Impairment of B-cell functions during HIV-1 infection.
abstract: A variety of B-cell dysfunctions are manifested during HIV-1 infection, as reported early during the HIV-1 epidemic. It is not unusual that the pathogenic mechanisms presented to elucidate impairment of B-cell responses during HIV-1 infection focus on the impact of reduced T-cell numbers and functions, and lack of germinal center formation in lymphoid tissues. To our understanding, however, perturbation of B-cell phenotype and function during HIV-1 infection may begin at several different B-cell developmental stages. These impairments can be mediated by intrinsic B-cell defects as well as by the lack of proper T-cell help. In this review, we will highlight some of the pathways and molecular interactions leading to B-cell impairment prior to germinal center formation and B-cell activation mediated through the B-cell receptor in response to HIV-1 antigens. Recent studies indicate a regulatory role for B cells on T-cell biology and immune responses. We will discuss some of these novel findings and how these regulatory mechanisms could potentially be affected by the intrinsic defects of B cells taking place during HIV-1 infection.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden bInserm, U955, Equipe 16, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amu
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ruffin
authors.forename: Bence
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rethi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiodi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D016207:Cytokines