Antibody-secreting B cells in HIV infection.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Several recent advances are permitting a detailed examination of the HIV-specific B-cell response. In this review, we summarize these advances and their implications for understanding the response to HIV during chronic infection or in vaccine.

RECENT FINDINGS:

In HIV-infected patients, aberrant B-cell phenotypes have been associated with diminished humoral responses to other pathogens. HIV-specific B cells are overrepresented in some of these abnormal subsets. Over the past 2 years, flow cytometry-based techniques have been developed to stain HIV-specific B cells. These techniques are permitting a re-examination of frequency, phenotype, and function of HIV-specific B cells. They are also permitting the isolation of HIV-specific B cells in high purity. Immunoglobulin G from sorted HIV-specific B cells is oligoclonal, uses a limited repertoire of immunoglobulin genes, and targets multiple epitopes on Env.

SUMMARY:

It is likely that the defects found in total B cells in HIV-infected patients also play a role in the poorly effective HIV-specific antibody response. A subset of HIV-infected patients produced broadly neutralizing antibodies. Understanding this antibody response, and the B cells that underlie it, may be critical in efforts to elicit neutralizing antibodies against HIV.

• Authors: Nicole A Doria-Rose, Mark Connors
• Journal: Current opinion in HIV and AIDS (Curr Opin HIV AIDS) Vol. 4 Issue 5 Pg. 426-30 (Sep 2009) ISSN: 1746-6318 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20048707 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• AIDS Vaccines
• HIV Antibodies

Topics

• AIDS Vaccines (immunology)
• B-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Flow Cytometry (methods)
• HIV (immunology)
• HIV Antibodies (biosynthesis)
• HIV Infections (immunology)
• Humans
• Lymphocyte Subsets (immunology)