Antibody responses against bacterial glycans affinity mature and diversify in germinal centers - PubMed
7 hours ago
- #Germinal center
- #Glycan vaccines
- #B cells
- Antibody responses against bacterial glycans mature and diversify in germinal centers.
- Anti-carbohydrate antibodies (Abs) are crucial for pathogen control but their generation is not well understood.
- The study examined B cell immunity against Streptococcus pyogenes surface polysaccharide in human blood, spleen, and tonsils.
- Glycan-targeted responses shift from IgM in children to IgG and IgA in adults.
- Natural colonization and controlled infection with S. pyogenes increase class-switched B cells.
- Glycan-specific B cells engage in germinal center responses and undergo somatic hypermutation (SHM).
- These B cells show reduced expression of T cell help-associated molecules, correlating with lower antibody-secreting cell (ASC) output.
- Mucosal pathogen encounters lead to glycan responses that class switch, evolve, and diversify through the GC.
- Findings have implications for the design and scheduling of glycan-containing vaccines.