T-independent type II immune responses generate memory B cells

TV Obukhanych, MC Nussenzweig - The Journal of experimental …, 2006 - rupress.org
TV Obukhanych, MC Nussenzweig
The Journal of experimental medicine, 2006rupress.org
Unlike T-dependent immune responses against protein antigens, T-independent responses
against polysaccharides confer long-lasting humoral immunity in the absence of recall
responses and are not known to generate memory B cells. Here we report that
polysaccharide antigens elicit memory B cells that are phenotypically distinct from those
elicited by protein antigens. Furthermore, memory B cell responses against polysaccharides
are regulated by antigen-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies. As the generation and …
Unlike T-dependent immune responses against protein antigens, T-independent responses against polysaccharides confer long-lasting humoral immunity in the absence of recall responses and are not known to generate memory B cells. Here we report that polysaccharide antigens elicit memory B cells that are phenotypically distinct from those elicited by protein antigens. Furthermore, memory B cell responses against polysaccharides are regulated by antigen-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies. As the generation and regulation of immunologic memory is central to vaccination, our findings help explain the mode of action of the few existing polysaccharide vaccines and provide a rationale for a wider application of polysaccharide-based strategies in vaccination.
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