[HTML][HTML] B cells, antibody-secreting cells, and virus-specific antibodies respond to herpes simplex virus 2 reactivation in skin

ES Ford, AM Sholukh, RM Boytz… - The Journal of …, 2021 - Am Soc Clin Investig
ES Ford, AM Sholukh, RM Boytz, SS Carmack, A Klock, K Phasouk, D Shao, R Rossenkhan…
The Journal of clinical investigation, 2021Am Soc Clin Investig
Tissue-based T cells are important effectors in the prevention and control of mucosal viral
infections; less is known about tissue-based B cells. We demonstrate that B cells and
antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) are present in inflammatory infiltrates in skin biopsy
specimens from study participants during symptomatic herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)
reactivation and early healing. Both CD20+ B cells, most of which are antigen inexperienced
based on their coexpression of IgD, and ASCs—characterized by dense IgG RNA …
Tissue-based T cells are important effectors in the prevention and control of mucosal viral infections; less is known about tissue-based B cells. We demonstrate that B cells and antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) are present in inflammatory infiltrates in skin biopsy specimens from study participants during symptomatic herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) reactivation and early healing. Both CD20+ B cells, most of which are antigen inexperienced based on their coexpression of IgD, and ASCs — characterized by dense IgG RNA expression in combination with CD138, IRF4, and Blimp-1 RNA — were found to colocalize with T cells. ASCs clustered with CD4+ T cells, suggesting the potential for crosstalk. HSV-2–specific antibodies to virus surface antigens were also present in tissue and increased in concentration during HSV-2 reactivation and healing, unlike in serum, where concentrations remained static over time. B cells, ASCs, and HSV-specific antibody were rarely detected in biopsies of unaffected skin. Evaluation of samples from serial biopsies demonstrated that B cells and ASCs followed a more migratory than resident pattern of infiltration in HSV-affected genital skin, in contrast to T cells. Together, these observations suggest the presence of distinct phenotypes of B cells in HSV-affected tissue; dissecting their role in reactivation may reveal new therapeutic avenues to control these infections.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation