B-cells and antibodies as contributors to effector immune responses in tuberculosis

Rijnink, W.F.; Ottenhoff, T.H.M.; Joosten, S.A. (2021)

Article / Letter to editor

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is still a major threat to mankind, urgently requiring improved vaccination and therapeutic strategies to reduce TB-disease burden. Most present vaccination strategies mainly aim to induce cell-mediated immunity (CMI), yet a series of independent studies has shown that B-cells and antibodies (Abs) may contribute significantly to reduce the mycobacterial burden. Although early studies using B-cell knock out animals did not support a major role for B-cells, more recent studies have provided new evidence that B-cells and Abs can contribute significantly to host defense against Mtb. B-cells and Abs exist in many different functional subsets, each equipped with unique functional properties. In this review, we will summarize current evidence on the contribution of B-cells and Abs to immunity toward Mtb, their potential utility as biomarkers, and their functional contribution to Mtb control.

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• tuberculosis
• humoral immunity
• B-cells
• antibodies
• biomarker

• All authors: Rijnink, W.F.; Ottenhoff, T.H.M.; Joosten, S.A.
• Date: 2021-02-18
• Journal: Frontiers in Immunology
• Volume: 12
• DOI: doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.640168
• Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.640168/pdf