Human B cells produce chemokine CXCL10 in the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis specific T cells. Issue 1 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoff, Soren T.; Salman, Ahmed M.; Ruhwald, Morten; Ravn, Pernille; Brock, Inger; Elsheikh, Nabila; Andersen, Peter; Agger, Else Marie
• Is Part Of: Tuberculosis. Volume 95:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: 616.995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2014.10.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-9792

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Summary</title> <sec> <title id="sectitle0015">Background</title> <p id="abspara0010">The role of B cells in human host response to <italic>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</italic> (Mtb) infection is still controversial, but recent evidence suggest that B cell follicle like structures within the lung may influence host responses through regulation of the local cytokine environment. A candidate for such regulation could be the chemokine CXCL10. CXCL10 is mainly produced by human monocytes, but a few reports have also found CXCL10 production by human B cells. The objective of this study was to investigate CXCL10 production by human B cells in response to <italic>in vitro</italic> stimulation with Mtb antigens.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0020">Methodology/principal findings</title> <p id="abspara0015">We analyzed human blood samples from 30 volunteer donors using multiparameter flow cytometry, and identified a subgroup of B cells producing CXCL10 in response to <italic>in vitro</italic> stimulation with antigens. T cells did not produce CXCL10, but CXCL10 production by B cells appeared to be mediated via IFN-γ and dependent on contact with antigen-specific T cells recognizing the antigen.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0025">Conclusion</title> <p id="abspara0020">Human B cells are able to produce CXCL10 in an IFN-γ and T cell contact-dependent manner. The present findings suggest a possible mechanism through which B cells in part may influence granuloma formation in human tuberculosis (TB) and participate in infection control.</p> </sec> </abstract>