Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Persistent virus infections with non- or poorly cytopathic viruses are commonly associated with B cell dysregulations. These include the induction of hypergammaglobulinemia and the emergence of virus-unspecific antibodies. These seemingly unspecific antibody responses interfere with the virus-specific humoral immunity and contribute to delayed virus control. Whether these virus-unspecific antibodies are induced in the B cell follicle or at extrafollicular sites and whether one specific CD4 T cell subset is involved in the polyclonal B cell activation is unclear. Here we studied virus-unrelated IgG antibody responses against self or foreign antigens in the context of persistent lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. We found that the LCMV-unspecific antibody response is short-lived and induced predominantly at extrafollicular sites and depends on the presence of LCMV-specific CD4 T cells. Our data support a scenario in which activated, virus-specific CD4 T cells provide help to non-specific B cells at extrafollicular sites, supporting the production of virus unspecific IgG antibodies during persistent viral infection.

Original publication

DOI

10.1002/eji.201948286

Type

Journal article

Journal

Eur j immunol

Publication Date

03/2020

Volume

50

Pages

396 - 403

Keywords

B cells, CD4 T cells, LCMV, chronic infection, polyclonal B cell activation