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Pattern Recognition by B Cells: The Role of Antigen Repetitiveness Versus Toll-Like Receptors

  • Chapter
Specialization and Complementation of Humoral Immune Responses to Infection

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 319))

Abstract

Viruses induce excellent antibody responses due to several intrinsic features. Their repetitive, organised structure is optimal for the activation of the B cell receptor (BCR), leading to an increased humoral response and a decreased dependence on T cell help. Viruses also trigger Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which in addition to increasing overall Ig levels, drive the switch to the IgG2a isotype. This isotype is more efficient in viral and bacterial clearance and will activate complement, which in turn lowers the threshold of BCR activation. Exploiting these characteristics in vaccine design may help us to create vaccines which are as safe as a recombinant vaccine yet still as effective as a virus in inducing B cell responses.

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Abbreviations

APC:

Antigen-presenting cell

BCR:

B cell receptor

Ig:

Immunoglobulin

IL:

Interleukin

IFN:

Interferon

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

RBC:

Red blood cell

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

STAT:

Signal transducers and activators of transcription

TD:

T cell-dependent

TI:

T cell-independent

TLR:

Toll-like receptor

VLP:

Virus-like particle

VSV:

Vesicular stomatitis virus

VSV-G:

Glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus

XID:

X-linked immunodeficiency

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cytos Biotechnology AG, Wagistrasse 25, 8952, Zürich-Schlieren, Switzerland

    M. F. Bachmann

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  1. H. J. Hinton
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  2. A. Jegerlehner
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  3. M. F. Bachmann
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Tim Manser PhD

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Hinton, H.J., Jegerlehner, A., Bachmann, M.F. (2008). Pattern Recognition by B Cells: The Role of Antigen Repetitiveness Versus Toll-Like Receptors. In: Manser, T. (eds) Specialization and Complementation of Humoral Immune Responses to Infection. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 319. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73900-5_1

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