Depletion of immature B cells during Trypanosoma cruzi infection: involvement of myeloid cells and the cyclooxygenase pathway

Eur J Immunol. 2005 Jun;35(6):1849-58. doi: 10.1002/eji.200526005.

Abstract

The ability of a microorganism to elicit or evade B cell responses represents a determinant factor for the final outcome of an infection. Although pathogens may subvert humoral responses at different stages of B cell development, most studies addressing the impact of an infection on the B cell compartment have focused on mature B cells within peripheral lymphoid organs. Herein, we report that a protozoan infection, i.e. a Trypanosoma cruzi infection, induces a marked loss of immature B cells in the BM, which also compromises recently emigrated B cells in the periphery. The depletion of BM immature B cells is associated with an increased rate of apoptosis mediated by a parasite-indirect mechanism in a Fas/FasL-independent fashion. Finally, we demonstrated that myeloid cells play an important role in B cell depletion, since CD11b(+) BM cells from infected mice secrete a product of the cyclooxygenase pathway that eliminates immature B cells. These results highlight a previously unrecognized maneuver used by a protozoan parasite to disable B cell generation, limiting host defense and favoring its chronic establishment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Chagas Disease / immunology*
  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Myeloid Cells / physiology*
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / physiology*
  • Prostaglandins / physiology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / physiology
  • fas Receptor / physiology

Substances

  • Fas Ligand Protein
  • Fasl protein, mouse
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Prostaglandins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • fas Receptor
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases