Functional memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells are generated after a single Plasmodium chabaudi infection in mice

PLoS Pathog. 2009 Dec;5(12):e1000690. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000690. Epub 2009 Dec 11.

Abstract

Antibodies have long been shown to play a critical role in naturally acquired immunity to malaria, but it has been suggested that Plasmodium-specific antibodies in humans may not be long lived. The cellular mechanisms underlying B cell and antibody responses are difficult to study in human infections; therefore, we have investigated the kinetics, duration and characteristics of the Plasmodium-specific memory B cell response in an infection of P. chabaudi in mice. Memory B cells and plasma cells specific for the C-terminal region of Merozoite Surface Protein 1 were detectable for more than eight months following primary infection. Furthermore, a classical memory response comprised predominantly of the T-cell dependent isotypes IgG2c, IgG2b and IgG1 was elicited upon rechallenge with the homologous parasite, confirming the generation of functional memory B cells. Using cyclophosphamide treatment to discriminate between long-lived and short-lived plasma cells, we demonstrated long-lived cells secreting Plasmodium-specific IgG in both bone marrow and in spleens of infected mice. The presence of these long-lived cells was independent of the presence of chronic infection, as removal of parasites with anti-malarial drugs had no impact on their numbers. Thus, in this model of malaria, both functional Plasmodium-specific memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells can be generated, suggesting that defects in generating these cell populations may not be the reason for generating short-lived antibody responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / immunology*
  • Antibody Formation / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Separation
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology*
  • Malaria / immunology*
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Plasma Cells / immunology*
  • Plasmodium chabaudi / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1