Publication

Back to overview

Widespread B cell perturbations in HIV-1 infection afflict naive and marginal zone B cells

Type of publication Peer-reviewed
Publikationsform Original article (peer-reviewed)
Author Liechti Thomas, Kadelka Claus, Braun Dominique L., Kuster Herbert, Böni Jürg, Robbiani Melissa, Günthard Huldrych F., Trkola Alexandra,
Project Understanding HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody evolution - The Swiss 4.5K Screen
Show all

Original article (peer-reviewed)

Journal The Journal of Experimental Medicine
Volume (Issue) 216(9)
Page(s) 2071 - 2090
Title of proceedings The Journal of Experimental Medicine
DOI 10.1084/jem.20181124

Open Access

URL http://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20181124
Type of Open Access Publisher (Gold Open Access)

Abstract

Perturbations in B cells are a hallmark of HIV-1 infection. This is signified by increased numbers of exhausted CD21neg memory B cells, driven by continuous antigen-specific and bystander activation. Using high-dimensional flow cytometry, we demonstrate that this exhausted phenotype is also prevalent among peripheral antigen-inexperienced naive and marginal zone (MZ) B cells in acute and chronic HIV-1 infection. A substantial fraction of naive and MZ B cells exhibit down-regulated CD21 levels and diminished response to B cell receptor (BCR)–dependent stimulation. Compared with CD21pos subsets, the CD21neg naive and MZ B cells differ in the expression of chemokine receptors and activation markers. Effective antiretroviral treatment normalizes peripheral naive and MZ B cell populations. Our results emphasize a more widely spread impairment of B cells in HIV-1 infection than previously appreciated, including antigen-inexperienced cells. This highlights the importance of monitoring functional capacities of naive B cells in HIV-1 infection, as exhausted CD21neg naive B cells may severely impair induction of novel B cell responses.
-