CD4+ T cells promote antibody production but not sustained affinity maturation during Borrelia burgdorferi infection.

ABSTRACT: CD4 T cells are crucial for enhancing B cell-mediated immunity, supporting the induction of high-affinity, class-switched antibody responses, long-lived plasma cells, and memory B cells. Previous studies showed that the immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi appears to lack robust T-dependent B cell responses, as neither long-lived plasma cells nor memory B cells form for months after infection, and nonswitched IgM antibodies are produced continuously during this chronic disease. These data prompted us to evaluate the induction and functionality of B. burgdorferi infection-induced CD4 T(FH) cells. We report that CD4 T cells were effectively primed and T(FH) cells induced after B. burgdorferi infection. These CD4 T cells contributed to the control of B. burgdorferi burden and supported the

SUBMITTER: Elsner RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4288900 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature