T-Cell-Independent Responses to Borrelia burgdorferiAre Critical for Protective Immunity and Resolution of Lyme Disease

MD McKisic, SW Barthold - Infection and immunity, 2000 - Am Soc Microbiol
MD McKisic, SW Barthold
Infection and immunity, 2000Am Soc Microbiol
The humoral immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi during persistent infection is critical to
both protective and disease-resolving immunity. This study examined the role of B cells in
the absence of T cells during these events, using mice with selected immune dysfunctions.
At 6 weeks postinfection, an interval at which arthritis resolves in immunocompetent mice,
arthritis severity was equivalent among immunocompetent mice, αβ+-T-cell-deficient mice,
and mice lacking both αβ+ and γδ+ T cells. Arthritis severity was worse in SCID mice, which …
Abstract
The humoral immune response to Borrelia burgdorferiduring persistent infection is critical to both protective and disease-resolving immunity. This study examined the role of B cells in the absence of T cells during these events, using mice with selected immune dysfunctions. At 6 weeks postinfection, an interval at which arthritis resolves in immunocompetent mice, arthritis severity was equivalent among immunocompetent mice, αβ+-T-cell-deficient mice, and mice lacking both αβ+ and γδ+ T cells. Arthritis severity was worse in SCID mice, which lack T and B lymphocytes. Carditis regressed in immunocompetent mice and those lacking both αβ+ and γδ+ T cells but remained active in mice lacking only αβ+ T cells and in SCID mice. Mice lacking only αβ+ T cells and those lacking both αβ+ and γδ+ T cells generated immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG3 B. burgdorferi-reactive antibodies. Sera from infected immunocompetent mice, mice lacking only αβ+ T cells, and mice lacking both αβ+ and γδ+ T cells passively protected naive mice against challenge inoculation withB. burgdorferi. However, only sera from infected immunocompetent mice, but not sera from infected T-cell-deficient mice, were able to resolve arthritis when passively transferred to actively infected SCID mice. These data demonstrate that B-cell activation during a T-cell-independent response may be critical for resolution of arthritis and carditis and that protective antibodies are generated during this response.
American Society for Microbiology