Characterization of the B cell response to Leishmania infection after anti-CD20 B cell depletion.
Anti-CD20 depletion therapies targeting B cells are commonly used in malignant B cell disease and autoimmune diseases. There are concerns about the ability of B cells to respond to infectious diseases acquired either before or after B cell depletion. There is evidence that the B cell response to existing or acquired viral infections is compromised during treatment, as well as the antibody response to vaccination. Our laboratory has an experimental system using co-infection of C3H mice with both Leishmania major and Leishmania amazonensis that suggests that the B cell response is important to healing infected mice. We tested if anti-CD20 treatment would completely restrict the B cell response to these intracellular pathogens. Infected mice that received anti-CD20 B cell depletion therapy had a significant decrease in CD19(+) cells within their lymph nodes and spleens. However, splenic B cells were detected in depleted mice and an antigen-specific antibody response was produced. These results indicate that an antigen-specific B cell response towards intracellular pathogens can be generated during anti-CD20 depletion therapy.
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University 1600 S 16th St, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
Marie M
MM
Bockenstedt
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University 1600 S 16th St, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
Paola M
PM
Boggiatto
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University 1600 S 16th St, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
Douglas E
DE
Jones
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000276:immunology; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000276:immunology*; D007894:Leishmania mexicana / Q000276:immunology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion / Q000379:methods*; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D012074:Remission Induction; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan
B cell; CD20; Leishmania; immunohistochemistry