| First Author | Liao W | Year | 2017 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 198 |
| Issue | 10 | Pages | 3846-3856 |
| PubMed ID | 28416599 | Mgi Jnum | J:252832 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5926811 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.1601852 |
| Citation | Liao W, et al. (2017) Characterization of T-Dependent and T-Independent B Cell Responses to a Virus-like Particle. J Immunol 198(10):3846-3856 |
| abstractText | Natural pathogens, such as viruses, often induce T-dependent and T-independent Ab responses. However, the activation and differentiation of Ag-specific B cells under these conditions had not been examined in detail. In this study, we used bacterial phage Qbeta-derived virus-like particles (Qbeta-VLPs) as an immunogen to examine the T-independent and T-dependent phases of the response in mice. Using Qbeta-specific cell labeling and enrichment methods developed in this study, we were able to characterize the rare Ag-specific B cells in detail. Surprisingly, we found that Qbeta-VLPs could induce Bcl-6 expression in pregerminal center B cells independently of T cell help. In addition, Qbeta-VLP-induced T-independent responses could lead to isotype-switched and somatically mutated memory B cells. Finally, in contrast to what has been reported with several other Ags, long-lived IgG+ memory cells were induced by Qbeta-VLPs, with IgM+ memory B cells being produced but only evident for a limited time, suggesting that different types of immunogens may preferentially generate or maintain IgM+ versus IgG+ memory B cells. |
