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

N Harris, WC Gause - Trends in immunology, 2011 - cell.com
Trends in immunology, 2011cell.com
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 …
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.
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