To B or not to B: B cells and the Th2-type immune response to helminths

Similar T helper (Th)2-type immune responses are generated against different helminth parasites, but the mechanisms that initiate Th2 immunity, and the specific immune components that mediate protection against these parasites, can vary greatly. B cells are increasingly recognized as important durin...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in immunology 2011-02, Vol.32 (2), p.80-88
Main Authors: Harris, Nicola, Gause, William C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergy and Immunology
Animals
antibodies
Antibodies, Helminth - immunology
antibody formation
antigen presentation
Antigens
B-Lymphocytes - immunology
CD4-positive T-lymphocytes
helminthiasis
Helminthiasis - immunology
Helminthiasis - parasitology
helminths
Helminths - immunology
Humans
Immune system
Parasites
production functions
Rodents
Th2 Cells - immunology
Vaccination
vaccine development
Vaccines
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Similar T helper (Th)2-type immune responses are generated against different helminth parasites, but the mechanisms that initiate Th2 immunity, and the specific immune components that mediate protection against these parasites, can vary greatly. B cells are increasingly recognized as important during the Th2-type immune response to helminths, and B cell activation might be a target for effective vaccine development. Antibody production is a function of B cells during helminth infection and understanding how polyclonal and antigen-specific antibodies contribute should provide important insights into how protective immunity develops. In addition, B cells might also contribute to the host response against helminths through antibody-independent functions including, antigen presentation, as well as regulatory and effector activity. In this review, we examine the role of B cells during Th2-type immune response to these multicellular parasites.
ISSN:1471-4906
1471-4981
DOI:10.1016/j.it.2010.11.005