CD11c+ T-bet+ memory B cells: Immune maintenance during chronic infection and inflammation?

Cell Immunol. 2017 Nov:321:8-17. doi: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2017.07.006. Epub 2017 Jul 19.

Abstract

CD11c+ T-bet+ B cells have now been detected and characterized in different experimental and clinical settings, in both mice and humans. Whether such cells are monolithic, or define subsets of B cells with different functions is not yet known. Our studies have identified CD11c+ IgM+ CD19hi splenic IgM memory B cells that appear at approximately three weeks post-ehrlichial infection, and persist indefinitely, during low-level chronic infection. Although the CD11c+ T-bet+ B cells we have described are distinct, they appear to share many features with similar cells detected under diverse conditions, including viral infections, aging, and autoimmunity. We propose that CD11c+ T-bet+ B cells as a group share characteristics of memory B cells that are maintained under conditions of inflammation and/or low-level chronic antigen stimulation. In some cases, these cells may be advantageous, by providing immunity to re-infection, but in others may be deleterious, by contributing to aged-associated autoimmune responses.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Bacterial Infections / genetics
  • Bacterial Infections / immunology*
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • CD11c Antigen / immunology*
  • CD11c Antigen / metabolism
  • Chronic Disease
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory / genetics
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology*
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / immunology*
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • CD11c Antigen
  • T-Box Domain Proteins
  • T-box transcription factor TBX21